ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Ancient Trees

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action her Department (a) has taken and (b) proposes to take to allow the EU's Natura 2000 designation to be extended to include sites with ancient trees.

Ben Bradshaw: Ancient trees can and do occur in   candidate Special Areas of Conservation, which together with Special Protection Areas for birds form the Natura 2000 network. However, they are not included specifically either as a habitat type in Annex I, or a species in Annex II, of the Habitats Directive for which sites can be selected.
	The purpose of Natura 2000 designation is to conserve areas containing habitats and species of Community interest of high ecological and bio-diversity value, rather than their cultural or historical value. Where ancient trees are included within sites, their cultural value as well as their contribution to the biodiversity of the area is provided for.

Apiculture

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on the grounds for the ban on the import of queen bees from Hawaii;
	(2)  what evaluation her Department has made of the   (a) health, (b) disease and (c) animal welfare grounds for restricting the import of queen bees from (i)   Hawaii and (ii) Australia; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: New European Community legislation strengthening the animal health controls and certification requirements for the importation of bees from third countries came into effect across the Community on 27 December 2003. Its aim, in particular, is to protect the EU bee population from exotic pests and diseases.
	The new import controls include the requirement that consignments of queen honey bees will only be allowed into the Community from those third countries that have demonstrated the veterinary competence to certify bees for export, and provided that the notifiable diseases of bees in the EU—American foul brood, the small hive beetle and tropilaelaps mite—are also confirmed as notifiable throughout the exporting country. The specified third countries are listed in Part 1 to the Annex of Council Decision 79/542 and include the USA and Australia.
	To date, only Australia, New Zealand and Argentina have demonstrated to us that they are able to comply with the conditions provided in the legislation, and imports of queens from these countries are permitted. However, in the case of Hawaii, while it is our opinion that it does have a high bee health status, and, indeed, we have until recently permitted imports of queen bees from there, it is nevertheless a territory of the USA. The EU legislation is clear in its intention, and it is our understanding that the three notifiable diseases mentioned above are not yet notifiable throughout the USA as a whole. The Commission has stated that it is not prepared to treat Hawaii as separate from the rest of the USA for this purpose. We are therefore not free to authorise the importation of queens bees from Hawaii until the USA has demonstrated equivalence with the EU.

Batteries Directive

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what representations her Department has made to the European Commission regarding the impact on users of hearing aids of the proposed Batteries Directive;
	(2)  what representations she has received from (a) organisations representing the hard of hearing and   (b) manufacturers of batteries regarding the impact on hearing aid users of the proposed Batteries Directive.

Elliot Morley: The UK Government have made no representation to the European Commission about the impact of the proposed batteries Directive on batteries used in hearing aids. This is because proposals issued by the Commission for a new batteries Directive do not contain any requirement prohibiting the sale of batteries used in hearing aids.
	However, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted during their first reading of the proposal on 20 April in favour of an amendment, setting limit values for prohibiting the sale of all batteries that contain more than 5ppm of mercury by weight. The Government understand that because hearing aid batteries may contain more than 5ppm of mercury and 40ppm of lead, by weight, in a zinc air hearing aid battery, there is now concern as to a possible ban. However, the Government have not, as yet, heard from any organisations or manufacturers that may be affected, nor have they heard the reaction of the European Commission to the amendment
	It should also be noted that the European Parliament also voted on an amendment to exclude from the controls of the new Directive, batteries and accumulators placed in medical devices; namely, those designed to maintain vital functions, where uninterrupted functioning is essential and the batteries and accumulators can be removed only by qualified personnel. If this amendment were accepted, it would not be clear whether those hearing aid batteries containing more than 5ppm of mercury and 40ppm of lead would be excluded.
	HMG believes that the inconsistency between these two amendments is likely to be addressed by the European Parliament in its second reading. If the threshold limits proposed remained in the Directive and led to the prohibition of batteries contained in hearing aids, or indeed batteries contained in other medical devices, this would be opposed by the UK and, we believe, by other member states also.

Batteries Directive

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State forEnvironment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from manufacturers of batteries regarding the proposed European Batteries Directive.

Elliot Morley: We have received representation from the British Battery Manufacturers Association (BBMA) and the European Portable Batteries Association (EPBA) who represent all major manufacturers of portable batteries. Also, we have held discussions with Collect Nicad who represent the manufacturers of nickel cadmium batteries.
	We expect to have further meetings with battery companies and other stakeholders now that the batteries consultation paper has been issued.

Beak Trimming

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State forEnvironment, Food and Rural Affairs if the Government will extend the 2010 deadline for the ban on beak trimming if no solution to the problem of cannabalism is found.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government are committed to banning the practice of beak trimming by the end of 2010. A beak trimming action group has been set up to   carry forward an action plan to enable Defra to introduce this ban without compromising bird welfare. However, some form of review process prior to the 2010 ban is not unreasonable.

Chicken Incinerators

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the regulations governing incinerators used for on-farm disposal of chickens, with particular reference to (a) how often they will be inspected and (b) the cost to farmers of carrying out inspections.

Ben Bradshaw: On-farm incinerators which only burn animal carcases such as chickens, must comply with the relevant requirements of Regulation (EC) No. 1774/2002 and must also be approved in accordance with this Regulation.
	This regulation is enforced in England by the Animal By-Products Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/1482) (the ABPR).
	Under the ABPR, the State Veterinary Service is responsible for inspecting and approving incinerator plants in accordance with Regulation 1774/2002. Visits to non-SRM incinerators (such as those incinerating only poultry) will, in general, be carried out on a quarterly basis. However, additional inspections may be carried out should they be necessary.
	At present there is no cost for either the inspection or the approval of such plants.

Chicken Incinerators

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State forEnvironment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from small-scale producers of chickens requesting their exemption from the ban on on-farm disposal; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department has received a number of such representations. However, the only exceptions from the ban on the routine on-farm burial or burning of animal by-products, in the UK, would be for remote areas (parts of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, the Scilly Isles and Lundy Island) and during outbreaks of notifiable disease if there were a lack of capacity at rendering plants and incinerators, or if transport of the carcases would spread disease.

Dairy Industry

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure that the difference in systems being adopted for single farm payments in England, Scotland and Wales does not lead to excessive trading in milk quotas and a reduction in dairy output in England; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: We are aware that some milk quota is moving out of England, since it will generate larger payments under the Single Payment Scheme in other regions of the UK but we are monitoring the situation. On the basis of current evidence, the scale of the movement does not seem to be great enough to justify any action.

Energy Efficiency

Joe Benton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many homes in Bootle have benefited from the Warm Front and Home Energy Efficiency Schemes.

Elliot Morley: The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme is now marketed as Warm Front. Between the launch of the scheme in June 2000 and the end of March 2004, approximately 4,700 households in Bootle received assistance from the Scheme.

Energy Efficiency

Colin Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many homes in West Lancashire have benefited from the Warm Front and Home Energy Efficiency Schemes.

Elliot Morley: The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme is now marketed as Warm Front. Between the launch of the scheme in June 2000 and the end of March 2004, approximately 2,400 households in West Lancashire received assistance from the Scheme.

Farming

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State forEnvironment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) assessment and (b) economic analyses have been conducted of the economic impact on English farmers of differing farm payment schemes under common agricultural policy reform in England, Wales and Scotland; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: Defra will publish shortly an analysis of the economic impact on the English farming industry of the single farm payment and the way in which the scheme will be operated in England.

Farming

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people were employed, in full time equivalents, in the United Kingdom farming industry in each of the last three years; and what contribution was made by the farming industry to the United Kingdom economy as a percentage of GDP in that period.

Alun Michael: The information requested is given in the table.
	
		
			 Calendar years 2001 2002 2003 1 
		
		
			 Annual work unit (thousands)(2) 333 320 306 
			 Agriculture's Gross Value Added   (GVA) as a percentage of national   GVA (current prices) 0.8 0.8 0.8 
		
	
	(1) Provisional.
	(2) An annual work unit represents the equivalent of an average full-time person engaged in agriculture. Includes farmers, partners, directors and hired workers.

Flood and Coastal Defences

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she has taken as a result of the Foresight Programme on Flood and Coastal Defences.

Elliot Morley: The Foresight Programme on Flood and Coastal Defence was initiated by the Office of Science and Technology to provide a shared understanding of the challenges faced by a wide range of stakeholders and to assist in the development of a long-term policy response. Stakeholders have contributed to an action plan in response to the Foresight Report which seeks to build upon this shared understanding and provide a channel through which actions across and outside Government can be co-ordinated. I have agreed that the group of key stakeholders which I chair will meet in one year to monitor progress and consider the need for other actions.
	In order for this action plan to be effective, it must be responsive to change in circumstances and will require regular review. The initial plan focuses on immediate actions, the findings of which will influence longer-term activities. A key mechanism for responding to the challenges within the report will be Defra's new strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management, which is expected to be finalised early next year.

Landfill Sites

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what constitutes a moderate risk of release of leachate from a landfill site into a surrounding sea or land area.

Elliot Morley: The Landfill Directive requires that a landfill must be situated and designed so as to meet the necessary conditions for preventing pollution of the soil, groundwater or surface water and ensuring efficient collection of leachate as and when required. In addition, the Groundwater Directive requires Member States to prevent the introduction of certain substances and to limit the introduction of certain other substances into groundwater so as to avoid pollution.
	The legislation in England that implements both these Directives is regulated by the Environment Agency and it is the Agency that would determine whether a likely release of leachate constituted an unacceptable risk, given the planned location of the landfill, using risk assessment techniques.
	For closed landfills that are controlled by a waste management licence, a risk based approach is also adopted by the Environment Agency. Monitoring of leachate, ground and surface waters is required to provide, amongst other things, that leachate controls are preventing pollution of the environment and, where unacceptable risks are identified, the need for measures to prevent, reduce or remove potential leachate pollution are assessed.

Landfill Sites

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what fines have been issued by courts following successful prosecutions for release of pollution from landfill sites in each of the last five years.

Elliot Morley: The Environment Agency has provided the following details of total levels of fines issued by the courts following successful prosecutions for release of pollution from landfill sites.
	Data are available for the calendar years 2000–03 as these are the years for which complete data is present on the database. As the database is not specifically searchable for offences at landfill sites, these figures have been generated by selecting records where the word "landfill" appears in the address of the site of an event.
	
		
			   £ 
		
		
			 2000 (3)— 183,000 
			 2001 (3)— 91,500 
			 2002 (3)— 127,750 
			 2003 (3)— 51,000 
		
	
	(3) Total fines for year

Packaging

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she is taking to promote the minimising of packaging and the prevention of waste creation by (a) producers, (b) distributors and retailers and (c) consumers; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: There are currently two sets of Regulations that cover packaging in the UK, both of which encourage producers (including retailers) to minimise packaging. The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 1997 (as amended) are intended to increase the recovery and recycling of packaging waste. The amount of packaging waste producers have to recover and recycle is determined, in part, by the amount of packaging they handle. Therefore, businesses can save money if they reduce the amount of packaging they handle. The Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 2003 place a number of requirements on all packaging placed on the market in the UK, including a requirement that   packaging should be manufactured so that the packaging volume and weight are limited to the minimum adequate amount to maintain the necessary level of safety, hygiene and acceptance for the packed product and for the consumer.
	Both Regulations have actually led to decreases in packaging used around products. For example, less material is used now to make a plastic container than was used a few years ago. However, more still needs to be done to reduce the amount of packaging that is actually produced in the first place. I have asked the Advisory Committee on Packaging to work with industry to find solutions to this problem and to let me   have recommendations for ways of encouraging businesses to further reduce the amount of packaging they use.
	Although legislation is a way of reducing packaging and increasing recycling, we would also encourage consumers to play a part. For example, if consumers made a point of choosing goods that are not heavily packaged, or bought 'loose' food rather than pre-packaged, or used their own shopping bags or boxes, manufacturers would be more inclined to reduce the quantity of packaging on their products.

Pollution Licensing Regime

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department has taken to ensure that the Environment Agency does not use the integrated pollution prevention and control licensing regime as a revenue stream.

Elliot Morley: The Environment Agency has powers under Section 41 of the Environment Act 1995 to charge for environmental licences, including pollution prevention and control permits. Charging schemes must be approved by the Secretary of State with the consent of the Treasury. Charging schemes have to be limited to the recovery of the amounts needed, taking one year with another, to recover the Environment Agency's costs of carrying out its regulatory functions.

Pollution Licensing Regime

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to ensure that charges for integrated pollution prevention and control licences are set at a reasonable level; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The Environment Agency's Environmental Protection Operator and Pollution Risk Appraisal (EP OPRA) charging scheme is a risk based assessment system, which closely links regulatory effort to environmental risk. EP OPRA was approved by the Government after consultation with industry and is based on four elements: emissions, location, complexity and operator performance. The scheme allows the Agency to recover the costs of carrying out its statutory responsibilities under the Pollution Prevention and Control regime. In line with the "polluter pays principle", well run companies with low potential risk to the environment are charged less than poorly run ones with a high potential to pollute. The Agency must adhere to the Treasury's Fees and Charges Guide, which describes how charges for statutory services should be calculated. The Agency is due to publish a 'transparency document' shortly, which will provide more detail on the Agency's costs; this document will be subject to the approval of the Environment Protection Charges Review Group, which includes industry representatives.

Pollution Licensing Regime

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State forEnvironment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received about the proposed integrated pollution prevention and control licences governing ammonia levels and odour; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Permits issued under the integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC) system each relate to a specified industrial installation and must contain emission limits and other permit conditions in respect of any pollutant likely to be emitted in significant quantities from that installation. Both Defra and the Environment Agency are in regular contact with all the industry sectors covered by IPPC and with other stakeholders.
	One industry sector in which ammonia and odour emissions will be significant is the intensive rearing of pigs and poultry. IPPC permits for that sector may incorporate "Standard Farming Installation Rules", based on the application of Best Available Techniques which are described in a reference document published by the European Commission and in national guidance.
	The Environment Agency began a public consultation on an updated version of the Standard Farming Installation Rules on 12 May 2004. The responses to the consultation are due by 16 August 2004. The consultation document is available on the Environment Agency's website at: http://www.environment-agencv. gov.uk/yourenv/consultations/775300/7versi

Recycling

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what waste recycling levels were achieved by each European Union country in the last year for which records exist for each country.

Elliot Morley: Estimates for municipal recycling and composting rates for each available European Union country are listed in the table.
	
		Municipal waste 2001
		
			  Percentage recycled or composted 
		
		
			 Austria 32.5 
			 Belgium 57.7 
			 Denmark 31.7 
			 Finland 25.0 
			 France 24.6 
			 Germany 53.0 
			 Greece 8.6 
			 Ireland 12.9 
			 Italy 24.4 
			 Luxembourg 35.8 
			 Netherlands 59.4 
			 Portugal 4.2 
			 Spain 28.4 
			 Sweden 39.4 
			 United Kingdom 12.7 
		
	
	These results are published on the Department's website. The full results can be found at: www. defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/waste/wrkf08.htm There may be some differences in definitions between countries.

Recycling

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which local authorities (a) met and (b) failed to meet the local authority recycling target.

Elliot Morley: Individual local authorities are required to meet Statutory Performance Standards for the recycling and composting of household waste in 2003–04 and 2005–06 only. The most recent data available, for 2002–03, show that 83 local authorities have already met or exceeded their 2003–04 target and six have met or exceeded their 2005–06 target.
	The names of these local authorities have been placed in the Library of the House. We will not know whether the remaining local authorities have succeeded or failed against their 2003–04 targets until later this year.
	Local authorities which met or exceeded their Statutory Performance Standards for 2003–04 or 2005–06 in 2002–03
	Local authorities which met or exceeded their 2005–06 targets in 2002–03
	East Hampshire District Council
	Daventry District Council
	Lichfield District Council
	Oswestry Borough Council
	Wealden District Council
	Wyre Borough Council
	Local authorities which have met or exceeded their 2003–04 targets in 2002–03
	Bedfordshire County Council
	Birmingham City Council
	Blaby District Council
	Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
	Blackpool Borough Council
	Blyth Valley Borough Council
	Braintree District Council
	Bromley LB
	Broxtowe Borough Council
	Calderdale MBC
	Caradon District Council
	Carrick District Council
	Castle Point Borough Council.
	Chelmsford Borough Council
	Chester City Council
	Chorley Borough Council
	Congleton Borough Council
	Cornwall County Council
	Dacorum Borough Council
	Darlington Borough Council
	Daventry District Council
	Derbyshire County Council
	Dudley MBC
	Durham City Council
	Durham County Council
	Easington District Council
	East Hampshire District Council
	East Hertfordshire District Council
	East Sussex County Council
	Essex County Council
	Fenland District Council
	Gedling Borough Council
	Guildford Borough Council
	Halton Borough Council
	Hartlepool Borough Council
	Herefordshire Council
	Hillingdon LB
	Huntingdonshire District Council
	Ipswich Borough Council
	Isle of Wight Council
	Kennet District Council
	Kerrier District Council
	King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council
	Lancashire County Council
	Leicestershire County Council
	Lichfield District Council
	London Corporation
	Luton Borough Council
	Maidstone Borough Council
	Malvern Hills District Council
	North East Lincolnshire Council
	North Kesteven District Council
	North Lincolnshire Council
	Northumberland County Council
	Oswestry Borough Council
	Oxford City Council
	Pendle Borough Council
	Preston Borough Council
	Ribble Valley Borough Council
	Rochford District Council
	Rushcliffe Borough Council
	Salisbury District Council
	Selby District Council
	Shropshire County Council
	South Cambridgeshire District Council
	South Northamptonshire District Council
	South Ribble Borough Council
	Staffordshire Moorlands District Council
	Telford and Wrekin Council
	Thurrock Council
	Torbay Council
	Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
	Uttlesford District Council
	Vale of White Horse District Council
	Vale Royal Borough Council
	Wakefield City MDC
	Wansbeck District Council
	Wealden District Council
	Wellingborough Borough Council
	West Oxfordshire District Council
	Wokingham Council
	Wyre Borough Council
	York City Council

Recycling

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action (a) has been taken and (b) is being considered against local authorities that fail to reach the waste recycling targets.

Elliot Morley: The Government have always said that they will take seriously any failures by local authorities to achieve their Statutory Performance Standards for recycling and composting for 2003–04 and 2005–06.
	However our primary aim is to support local authorities in achieving the targets, and we have set up the Waste Implementation Programme in Defra to do exactly that.
	We will not know whether local authorities have succeeded or failed against their 2003–04 targets until later this year. Once that information is available, and   where an authority has missed its target and demonstrates no commitment to improving its performance, the Government will consider using their formal intervention powers to drive improvement.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 29 March 2004, Official Report, column 7205w, for further information on what action might be taken under my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's formal powers of intervention.

Recycling

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which local authorities bid for funds under the waste management recycling challenge in each round; and which have been successful.

Elliot Morley: The lists of local authorities that bid for funds under the National Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund in rounds 1 and 2, which cover in 2002–03 and 2003–04 respectively, have been placed in the Library of the House. The lists for round 3, covering 2004–05, will be placed in the Library of the House shortly.
	Successful bids in all three rounds are also published on the Defra website and can be accessed via the following links:
	Successful bids in round 1: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2002/020625a.htm
	Successful bids in round 2: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2002/021204a.htm
	Successful bids in round 3: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/localauth/funding/wastefund/index.htm

Sluice Gates (Queenborough)

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who owns the   sluice gates that lead into the tidal pond at the bottom of Borough Road, Queenborough, Isle of Sheppey.

Elliot Morley: I understand that Swale borough council are currently in the process of establishing the ownership of the land on which the sluice gates are located. These investigations will enable the council to establish, among other things, who is responsible for their maintenance. The council expect to conclude their investigations within a few weeks and I have asked them to inform my hon. Friend of the outcome.

Supermarkets

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the regulation of prices paid to farmers by supermarkets.

Alun Michael: The price that supermarkets pay for their supplies, including those purchased direct from farmers, is a commercial matter. We have no plans to regulate this.

Two Tree Island

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State forEnvironment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from English Nature regarding (a) contaminated materials on Two Tree Island and (b) the management of the site.

Elliot Morley: No representation have been made by English Nature to the Secretary of State in respect of Two Tree Island landfill site. Since 2001, English Nature, as a statutory consultee on planning applications, has attended meetings about proposed developments to repair sea wall defences at two locations (NE corner & south) within the perimeter of Two Tree Island. English Nature has made formal representations to a planning application by Southend-On-Sea Borough Council in respect of the NE corner in 2004. No formal planning application has yet been received for the areas within Castle Point Borough Council.

Two Tree Island

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on how many occasions the Water Resources Act 1991 has been breached by release of contaminated material from Two Tree Island.

Elliot Morley: Since 1991, The Environment Agency and its predecessor body (The National Rivers Authority) have only had one report (12 October 1993 Councillor Peter Wexham, Borough of Southend-On-Sea) of a suspected breakout of landfill leachate in the area of Two Tree Island. The investigating officer at the time of the incident indicates in the file note, that he was unable to substantiate the report, as he could not pin point the exact location of the suspected leachate breakout.
	The Agency does not routinely monitor Two Tree Island, but would investigate reports and concerns from external bodies including members of the public, as it normally does.

Two Tree Island

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what basis she relies for refusing to answer questions relating to the responsibilities of the Environment Agency in respect to (a) public safety and (b) contamination from reaching the closed Two Tree Island landfill site into the Thames estuary; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The licence for the disposal of waste on Two Tree Island was held by Essex county council until 1994 when the licence was rescinded. The land was owned by, and continues to be owned by, Southend- on-Sea borough council, who is also responsible for monitoring emissions from the site.
	As land-owner, the council has public safety responsibilities and must ensure that contamination does not leave the site.
	The Environment Agency is not responsible for monitoring the site, but would wish to liaise with the land-owner if pollution was identified.

Two Tree Island

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) short-term and (b) long-term solutions she plans to protect the (i) public and (ii) environment from leachate from the closed Two Tree Island landfill site.

Elliot Morley: As noted in the response I gave on 12 May 2004, Official Report, column 344W, Southend-on-Sea borough council and Castle Point district council are responsible for the Two Tree Island landfill site. I understand, however, that the local authorities are planning to implement the recommendations contained in the report prepared by Halcrow Fox.

Two Tree Island

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will publish the results of the Environment Agency investigations into leachate from the closed Two Tree Island landfill site.

Elliot Morley: Detailed results of the Environment Agency's investigations into leachate from the closed Two Tree Island landfill site are already publicly available on the Agency's public register that is held at Swift House, Frimley Business Park, Camberley, Surrey, GU16 5SQ.

Two Tree Island

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the landfill site on Two Tree Island was closed.

Elliot Morley: The Two Tree Island waste disposal site was used for landfill operations, reportedly from the 1930s until the 1980s. The licence for the activity was rescinded in 1994.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Statutory Instruments

Norman Baker: To ask the Leader of the House if he will propose a change to the standing orders of the House to make provision for statutory instruments to be amended; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Hain: A change to the standing orders of the House would not be sufficient to allow amendment of statutory instruments: an amendment of each enabling power would be needed.
	In its 1996 report on Delegated Legislation, the Procedure Committee considered whether statutory instruments should be made amendable and recommended against, on the grounds that it would involve excessive complication, run directly counter to the past intentions of Parliament, and would frustrate the very purpose for which delegated powers were given.
	Very little legislation currently in force allows for secondary legislation to be amended. An exception is proposed to be made in respect of emergency regulations under the current Civil Contingencies Bill. This reflects the exceptionally broad scope of the delegated powers conferred by the Bill and the circumstances in which those powers are likely to be exercised. A similar exception is made in the Emergency Powers Act 1920, which the Bill supersedes.

TRANSPORT

Speed Cameras

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money raised in fines from speed cameras during the last year for which records are available was spent in (a) West Sussex and (b) the East Worthing and Shoreham constituency.

David Jamieson: The Sussex Safety Camera partnership joined the cost recovery scheme in October 2002. Details of partnership operations for 2002–2003 will be published shortly.

Blackpool Light Rail

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the impact of (a) Blackpool borough council's previous relations with light rail contractors and (b) the lack of need to divert utilities as part of the proposed Blackpool light rail upgrade on the overall risk assessment of the Blackpool light rail bid in the light of the conclusions of the National Audit Office report, "Improving public transport in England through light   rail", on cases of cost overruns in light rail schemes.

Tony McNulty: The Department will be taking both of these factors into account in its assessment of the level of 'optimism bias' to apply to the estimated capital costs of the project, to reflect possible cost overruns.

Capital and Revenue Expenditure

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for   Transport what research his Department has undertaken to assess the relative costs and benefits of capital expenditure and revenue expenditure on transport.

Tony McNulty: The Secretary of State assesses each scheme on its merits, capital or revenue, against a range of appraisal criteria under the New Approach to Appraisal before taking individual investment decisions. Decisions must be consistent with the Government's overall spending allocations determined as part of the budgetary process. The Government meet their golden fiscal rule, so over the economic cycle, we only borrow to invest.

Car Clubs

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what financial support his Department gives to promote car clubs.

Tony McNulty: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 12 May 2004 Official Report, column 399W.

Car Clubs

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State forTransport what research his Department has undertaken into the reduction in car journeys attributable to car clubs.

Tony McNulty: Last year the Department commissioned research into the influence of soft factors on travel demand. The final report, which will include a chapter on car clubs, is expected to be completed shortly.

Car Clubs

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the local authorities which support car clubs.

Tony McNulty: The Department does not collect this information centrally.

Departmental Officials

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many officials in his Department and associated agencies have withheld details of their salaries and performance related pay in each year since 1997.

Tony McNulty: Since the Department was formed in May 2002, there have been seven officials, out of a possible total of 42, who have withheld details of salaries.

Highway Code

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to review the stopping distances of cars shown in The Highway Code.

David Jamieson: The stopping distances shown in The Highway Code will be reviewed as part of the major revision of the code which will start later this year, including full consultation with all stakeholders with an interest in The Highway Code and road safety matters.

Journey Times

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the impact of increasing time taken by commuter rail journeys into London on modal shift.

Alistair Darling: Minor timetable changes are regularly made to ensure timetables are robust and provide more reliable journey times for passengers. Where major timetable changes are proposed—for instance to address capacity problems—they invariably involve consultation with local or regional stakeholders.

Motoring Costs

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost of motoring has been in each year since 1997, expressed at today's prices.

David Jamieson: The following table shows how the cost of motoring 1 , as measured by the Retail Prices Index, has changed in real terms each year since 1997. The cost of motoring decreased by 4.8 per cent. between 1997 and 2003.
	1  "All motoring" includes the cost of purchase, maintenance, fuel, tax and insurance.
	
		
			  Index (2003=100) 
		
		
			 1997 105.0 
			 1998 104.7 
			 1999 105.6 
			 2000 106.6 
			 2001 104.1 
			 2002 101.6 
			 2003 100.0 
		
	
	Source:
	Consumer Prices and Inflation Division, Office for National Statistics

MOTs

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total expenditure of the MOT computerisation project from its start was, broken down by (a) staff salaries, (b) office accommodation, (c) travel and subsistence and detached duty expenses and (d) fees to consultants.

David Jamieson: The total costs incurred by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) on the MOT Computerisation project from its start are £13,362,000. Of this staff salaries account for £3,816,000; office accommodation £2,950,000; travel and subsistence and detached duty expenses £817,000; fees to consultants £3,615,000; and other costs £2,164,000.

Railways

Lawrie Quinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the effect upon costs in the rail industry of regulations prepared by the Health and Safety Commission concerning rail safety.

Alistair Darling: In accordance with Cabinet Office guidance first issued in 1999, all the railway safety regulations prepared by the Health and Safety Commission since then have been accompanied by Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs). Copies of all the RIAs were laid in the Houses of Parliament Libraries with the regulations.

Railways

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the Freight on Track campaign.

Tony McNulty: The Government are committed to   developing a competitive and efficient freight distribution system that supports economic growth while protecting the environment and recognise the economic importance and environmental benefits of rail freight to the UK.

Railways

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many containers and what tonnage of freight was carried by freight trains in each year since 1997.

Tony McNulty: The tonnage for freight carried by freight trains on a yearly basis is contained in the Strategic Rail Authority's publication National Rail Trends, which has been placed in the Library of the House. The number of containers moved is not reported in the publication as that information is commercially sensitive.

Roads (Derby)

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport   what assessment has been made of the means   of completing the road linking the A50 at the A514 junction at Chellaston with Wilmore Road in Derby.

David Jamieson: The proposed link-road in question is a local road and as such is the responsibility of Derby city council. I understand that the scheme is to be appraised by the city council as part of a major transport study, currently under way, for the Derby Joint Local Transport Plan Area.

School Buses

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of school buses in each local authority are fitted with seat belts.

David Jamieson: The Department does not collect this information.

Sea ports (Transport Links)

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his policy is on providing rail and road links to ports.

Alistair Darling: We recognise the importance of good road and rail connections to ports and further improving access to them is an important objective of our 10-Year Transport Plan as well as being a significant issue for the regional planning process. Access to ports featured in several of the recent multi-modal studies and a number of the transport projects now being taken forward as a result of these studies will benefit ports related as well as domestic traffic.

Ship and Port Security

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what level of training is required for a ship security officer to be compliant with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.

David Jamieson: The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code requires the ship security officer to have received training in accordance with the guidance given in Part B of the Code. The guidance lists 25 training topics.
	Ship security officers on UK registered ships are required to attend a training course that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has approved as meeting the Merchant Navy Training Board specification. 35 training providers have been approved to run ship security officer courses.

Ship and Port Security

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to his answer of 26 April 2004, Official Report, column 782W, on shipping, how control measures for ships that do not provide evidence of having an International Security Ship Plan will be enforced.

David Jamieson: The Department for Transport's Transport Security Directorate (TRANSEC), in conjunction with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency   (MCA), are developing appropriate response procedures to deal with ships that fail to provide evidence of an International Ship Security Certificate when seeking entry into a UK port. Consultation is on-going with a number of Departments and agencies including the MOD, Police, and Customs.

Tachographs

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects digital tachographs to be introduced.

David Jamieson: We do not expect the first digital tachograph to be type-approved until the end of this month at the earliest. Therefore, the first vehicles fitted with digital tachographs are unlikely to be on sale before the end of the year. This means that the current date of 5 August 2004 for mandatory fitting to all relevant new vehicles cannot be met. On 8 March, I announced that we would not enforce the August 2004 deadline in the   UK. Since that announcement, the European Commission has proposed an EU-wide moratorium in the enforcement of mandatory fitting by member states until August 2005. We will continue to monitor developments and will make further announcements as and when appropriate.

Traffic Accidents (Bootle)

Joe Benton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the percentage change has been in the number of (a) deaths and (b) serious injuries on the roads of Bootle since 1997.

David Jamieson: The available information relates to local authority areas. In the Sefton local authority area there were 10 deaths in road accidents in 1997 and 10 deaths in 2002, the latest year for which information is available. The number of serious injuries fell by 12 percent from 100 in 1997 to 88 in 2002. Estimates on the basis of parliamentary constituencies will become available in the summer, where I shall write to my hon Friend with figures for Bootle and place a copy of my letter in the Libraries of the House.

Traffic Congestion

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the level of congestion on the M54 was in each year since 1997.

David Jamieson: The Highways Agency does not currently take regular measurements of congestion levels on the M54. Once the agency's National Traffic Control Centre is fully operational by March 2005, information on journey times and speeds will become widely available.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Colombia

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  how much (a) money and (b) aid in kind the UK has (i) pledged and (ii)   delivered to date to (A) UNICEF and (B) the UN Industrial Development Organisation within the framework of the UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for Colombia (HAP) 2003; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how much (a) money and (b) aid in kind the   United Kingdom (i) pledged and (ii) delivered to date to (A) the United Nations Population Fund and (B) the UN High Commission for Refugees within the framework of the UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for Colombia 2003; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The UK did not contribute funds or provide aid in kind to the United Nations Children Fund, UN Industrial Development Organisation, UN Population Fund, or UN High Commission for Refugees within the framework of the UN's 2003 Appeal for Colombia. I refer the hon. Member for Moray to the reply I gave him on the 18 May 2004, Official Report, column 867–68W, for details of the nature of DFID's response to this appeal.

Departmental Projects

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for   International Development if he will list the Department's medium-risk bilateral projects referred to on page 190 of the 2004 Departmental Report which have been evaluated as successful.

Hilary Benn: The medium risk projects, referred to on page 190 of DFID's Departmental Report, are listed on a table I have deposited in the Library called "DFID Medium Risk Projects: Written Question 174116". Each project is given a score ranging from one to five based on the likelihood of achieving their intended objectives. These scores are a forecast of success for projects of £1 million or more that have been in operation for at least two years. It records work in progress and is a twelve-month snapshot view on a particular date reflecting those projects that meet the above criteria. The table lists those projects that have a score of one or two.

Departmental Projects

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the Department's low-risk bilateral projects referred to on page 190 of the 2004 Departmental Report that have not been evaluated as successful.

Hilary Benn: The low risk projects, referred to on page 190 of DFID's Departmental Report, are listed on the table below. Each project is given a score ranging from one to five based on the likelihood of achieving their intended objectives. These scores are a forecast of success for projects of £1 million or more that have been in operation for at least two years. It records work in progress and is a twelve-month snapshot view on a particular date reflecting those projects that meet the above criteria. The table lists those projects receiving a score in the range of three to five which means they will achieve only some of their objectives.
	
		All low risk projects with a commitment value of £1million or over only partly achieving their output purpose during 2003 
		
			 Region Title Commitment 
		
		
			 African Division   
			 DFID Ghana   
			 Ghana Civil Service Performance Improvement Project Phase Two 5,602,000 
			 DFID Kenya   
			 Kenya Approtech LTMIP 1,700,000 
			  Business Partnerships Programme Kenya (BPP) 2,000,000 
			 DFID Malawi   
			 Malawi Support to National Democratic Institute 3,000,000 
			 DFID Mozambique   
			 Mozambique National Health Plan—TC 1 ,433,000 
			  Demining in Mozambique: HALO Trust 3,908,048 
			 DFID Southern Africa   
			 Botswana ACORD Ngamiland 1,681,000 
			 South Africa, Republic of SAUVA HIV AIDs 1,000,000 
			  Free State community policing. 1,920,000 
			 DFID Tanzania   
			 Tanzania Parastatal Sector Reform Programme III 5,400,000 
			 DFID Uganda   
			 Uganda Uganda Fish Farming 2,197,000 
			 DFID Zimbabwe   
			 Zimbabwe Empowerment of Farm Worker Communities 1,614,778 
			 DFID Ethiopia   
			 Ethiopia SCF Emergency Drought Relief Fik Zone 1,425,318 
			  Oxfam: Emergency Nutrition. Boloso Sorie 1,443,803 
			  Farm Africa: Farmer Research 2,654,235 
			
			 Asia Division   
			 DFID Bangladesh   
			 Bangladesh Research and Extn. In Farm Power Issues (REFPI) 1,623,000 
			  Rural Bridges Project 4,500,000 
			  Bridge Replacement Project 7,600,000 
			  GIDP—SCADA/MSIP—Gas Infrastructure Development 23,609,000 
			 DFID India   
			 India Urban Public Health Engineers (MDSUPHO) 1,464,000 
			  West Bengal Reproductive Child Health Project 2,990,000 
			  West Bengal Sexual Health Project 4,780,000 
			  Reproductive Health Project Orissa 4,997,780 
			  Pub. Admin. Training Prog. 4,650,000 
			 DFID Nepal   
			 Nepal Right-based response to HIV/AIDS 1,750,000 
			 DFID Russia   
			 Russian Federation SPS for Health and Social Care 2,525,000 
			  REAREF project 2,689,000 
			  Support to BAS—Samara 2,000,000 
			   
			 Europe, Middle East and Europe and Central Asia 
			 Albania Albania Tax Reform 1,287,615 
			 Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Kyrgyz Tariff project 1,249,542 
			   
			 Latin America Department   
			 Bolivia Mink'a Agricultural Development Project Phase IV 2,827,000 
			 Brazil Participatory Management of Natural Resources 3,000,000 
			 Central America PAHO Disease Control 2,771,150 
			   
			 Middle East and North Africa   
			 Egypt, Arab Republic Environment (SEAM 2) 6,316,000 
			   
			 Overseas Territories   
			 Anguilla Secondary School Development Project 3,088,000 
			 St Helena Cargo Handling Equipment 1,031,000 
			  Link Committee 1,589,680 
			 Policy Division   
			 Non Specific Country WHO HQ Roll Back Malaria 48,000,000 
			  Commonwealth Local Govt. Forum 2,000,000 
			  Joint UNDP UMP Phase III 2,562,000 
			  CLS: Homeworker Mapping 1,213,380

Liberia

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for   International Development what assessment his Department has made of the (a) number and (b) location of Liberian refugees; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: In February 2004 the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimated a total of 324,000 Liberian refugees in neighbouring countries; 147,000 in Guinea, 68,000 in Sierra Leone, 67,000 in Ivory Coast, and 42,000 in Ghana. It has since been estimated that up to 17,000 refugees have returned spontaneously to Liberia from these countries. With improved conditions, services and stability inside Liberia, UNHCR expects up to 100,000 of the remaining refugees to return by the end of 2004, and the remainder in 2005. DFID has assisted with the provision of services and support to refugees and internally displaced persons by providing £10.6m in humanitarian support in 2003 and 2004. DFID has committed a further £6m for Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration, as an additional contribution to post-conflict recovery and the creation of conditions for a return to peace and stability.

Occupied Palestinian Territories

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  how much expenditure is planned by his Department in the next three years for projects to work with young people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the projects his Department is supporting in the Occupied Palestinian Territories specifically aimed at giving young people an alternative to violence and extremism; and at what cost in 2003–04.

Hilary Benn: The best way of giving young people an alternative to violence and extremism is to ensure they have a full and effective education with good prospects of future employment. DFID's support to the United Nations Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) for which planned expenditure over the next three years is about £15 million per calendar year, provides substantial support to education and emergency employment creation. Over two thirds of UNRWA's annual budget is allocated for the education needs of Palestinian children in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. DFID provides project funding for UNRWA to help improve the school management by involving the local community. Planned funding is about £500,000 per year for the next two years.
	DFID recently agreed a £7 million contribution to the World Bank's Public Financial Management Reform Trust Fund to support the Palestinian Authority. This will have an indirect impact on supporting young people, as the money will help maintain public services including education and keep PA employees at work by paying salaries.

Occupied Palestinian Territories

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the level of disruption to the schooling and vocational education of young people in the Occupied Palestinian Territories over the last five years.

Hilary Benn: DFID has not commissioned any such research but monitors the level of disruption to education through regular contact with our Palestinian and international partners including the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Education, United Nations Relief Works Agency and Non Governmental Organisations. Many pupils and teachers now face difficulty in getting to school, which in effect reduces the number of full school days. There is also a reduction in the financial resources available for education as a result of the severe downturn of the Palestinian economy. The high priority given to education by Palestinian communities means that there has been no increase in the very low dropout rate, and only a small reduction in the high rate of enrolment of pupils in schools. The disruptions and violence nevertheless have a high psychological impact on students and on student achievement.

South Africa

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for   International Development what assessment his Department has made of the statement released by South Africa's Deputy President Jacob Zuma's office on 11 May 2004; what his Department's assessment is of the scale of the problem highlighted by Mr. Zuma; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The statement by South Africa's Deputy President Zuma's office, highlighted the extent of food insecurity and vulnerability in the Southern African region. At the 15 May Southern African Development Community Summit on Agriculture and Food Security in Dar es Salaam the South African government announced a contribution of R 100 million (approximately £8 million) to help meet these needs. DFID welcomes this and believe that South Africa has an important role to play in improving food security in the region, including as a major food producer and grain market.
	Food security is a continuing challenge in Southern Africa. At the peak of the recent humanitarian crisis, the United Nations assessed that 15.2 million people (26 per cent. of the population) were in need of food aid. DFID spent over £88 million in 2002–03 in response to the Southern African food crisis (in Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho). Acute needs appear to be lessening now as a result of improved harvests in many but not all countries, However, chronic poverty appears to have increased and more communities are now likely to become destitute as a result of variable rainfall or other shocks such as illness or loss of work.
	The impact of HIV/AIDS has placed a major burden on households and increased their vulnerability. Increasing food production is necessary but not sufficient, since many people do not grow their own food, and lack resources to buy food even if it is available. Increasing employment, land reform, better infrastructure and access to markets, and more private sector investment are also required.

South Africa

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether the Department had observers at the 2004 Southern African Development Community Heads of State and Government Summit on Agriculture and Food Security held on 15 May 2004 in Dar es Salaam; what reports of the (a) proceedings and (b) conditions of this summit he has received; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The British High Commissioner in Tanzania attended the opening ceremony of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit on 15 May. The Summit launched an action plan to address the food security problems in the region. It emphasised the extent and depth of vulnerability in the region and the need for concerted international action on a wide range of issues. Member states re-endorsed their commitment to increase their financing to agriculture to 10 per cent. of national budgets within five years.
	The official communiqué sets out the agreed action and priority areas for short and longer-term support. DFID, in collaboration with partners, is supporting a number of programmes to address the issues discussed at the Summit. DFID's collaboration emphasises access to food, as well as increasing production; monitoring vulnerability and targeting vulnerable groups; and the important role of the private sector and regional trade. DFID welcomes SADC's renewed commitment to food security as a development priority.

Sudan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what assistance his Department is providing with demobilisation disarmament and the reintegration of combatants in Sudan;
	(2)  what is the nature of the support being provided by his Department to assist reintegration in the Sudan.

Hilary Benn: Full demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration (DDR) of combatants will only take place in Sudan after a peace agreement has been signed between the Government of Sudan and Sudan People's Liberation Movement. However, as part of the international effort to promote successful DDR, DFID is currently supporting both the preparation and planning for full-scale demobilisation and the demobilisation of Child Soldiers.
	DFID has provided about £505,000 of assistance to   UNICEF for child soldier disarmament and demobilisation, as well as the return, reunification and reintegration of vulnerable children. We have also provided about £312,000 of assistance to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for three DDR field advisers under their preparatory support for reintegration for former combatants and community based weapons reduction. In addition we are also providing a DDR adviser to act as a resource person to the Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in the IGAD-led peace talks, and to the international community through the UN Resident Coordinator for Sudan.
	Both DFID and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are also pressing the UN at the highest levels to ensure that DDR is given the utmost priority, and is fully supported during coming peacekeeping missions.

Sudan

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action his Department is taking to support the development of effective governance in Sudan.

Hilary Benn: DFID hopes that a framework peace agreement will emerge from the Sudan peace talks soon. DFID sees a sustainable and just peace as key to effective governance in Sudan so the United Kingdom has committed itself to supporting Sudan in implementing the peace agreement.
	One of DFID's objectives for the programme in   Sudan is the development of effective public administration, security and judicial systems. To this end we are supporting policy development, for example, by helping the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) to develop good governance principles for the new Government of South Sudan. DFID is also working on plans to support capacity building on safety, security and accessible justice; on local government; and on public financial management. In addition we have financed a consultancy report on the development of policing in Sudan, and are considering support for security sector reform.

Zimbabwe

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) other members and representatives of the Government have had with (i)   representatives of the World Food Programme (WFP) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), (ii) members and representatives of the Government of Zimbabwe and (iii) members and representatives of the Government of South Africa concerning the WFP and FAO's crop assessment missions recently cancelled by Zimbabwe officials; what assessment his Department has made of this incident; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The Government of Zimbabwe's recent decision to cancel the crop assessment mission has been discussed extensively in numerous meetings in Harare involving DFID Zimbabwe, the British embassy, United Nations agencies, and other donors. Officials from DFID and the embassy, as well as the UN, have expressed concerns to the Zimbabwean Government. DFID and embassy officials have also discussed this issue with South African officials.
	The Government of Zimbabwe's cancellation of the mission means that there is no internationally accepted estimate of Zimbabwe's harvest, and their decision not to request international food aid means that normal advance planning processes will not take place. The Zimbabwean claim that they have produced 2.4 million metric tonnes (MT) of maize this year is simply not credible. The actual harvest is probably below 1.2 million MT, compared to a requirement of about 1.8 million MT. Given the significant shortage of foreign exchange in Zimbabwe, it will be difficult for the Government to import enough grain to fill this gap. Many poor and vulnerable people may therefore go very hungry, if not worse, as a result of these decisions.
	DFID Zimbabwe, in collaboration with other major donors and the UN system, will monitor the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe closely, while continuing to provide targeted food assistance and other humanitarian support to the most vulnerable sections of Zimbabwe society through NGO programmes which DFID is able to fund directly. DFID will press the Government of Zimbabwe to recognize the humanitarian need within the country and to collaborate with the international community to provide an apolitical and co-ordinated response.

Zimbabwe

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the continuing need for international food aid to Zimbabwe.

Hilary Benn: The Government of Zimbabwe have decided to cancel the joint crop assessment mission with the UN which had started in late April. This means that there is no internationally accepted estimate of Zimbabwe's harvest. Their separate decision not to request international food aid means that normal advance planning processes for delivery of food aid will not take place. The Zimbabwean claim that they have produced 2.4 million metric tonnes (MT) of maize this year is simply not credible. The actual harvest is probably below 1.2 million MT, compared to a requirement of about 1.8 million MT. Given the significant shortage of foreign exchange in Zimbabwe, it will be difficult for the Government to import enough grain to fill this gap. Many poor and vulnerable people may therefore go very hungry, if not worse, as a result of these decisions.
	The UN and donors, including the UK, have expressed our concern to the Zimbabwean Government about their handling of the humanitarian situation. DFID, in collaboration with other major donors and the UN system, will monitor the position in Zimbabwe closely, while continuing to provide targeted food assistance and other humanitarian support to the most vulnerable sections of Zimbabwe society through NGO programmes which we are able to fund directly. DFID will press the Government of Zimbabwe to recognize the   humanitarian need within the country and to collaborate with the international community to provide an apolitical and coordinated response.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

VAT

Claire Ward: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners what response he has received from churches to the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the extension of VAT for listed places of worship.

Stuart Bell: I and my colleagues in the Churches receive many indications of appreciation from parishes for the Chancellor's extension of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme to repay the full amount of VAT paid on repairs to listed church buildings after 1 April 2004.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Museums and Galleries Month

Linda Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on activities and events that have taken place and are taking place in museums and galleries month.

Estelle Morris: Museums and Galleries Month comprises more than 1,100 special events that will attract an estimated 10 million people during May. The month shows that museums and galleries are becoming ever more interesting and accessible to all sections of society, and I congratulate the organisers and all those taking part.

Cinema

David Rendel: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to improve access to the cinema for small towns and rural communities.

Estelle Morris: The UK Film Council, the Government's strategic agency for film, oversees several strategies to improve access to cinema, including in small towns and rural areas.
	These include the establishment of a Digital Screen Network; the installation of audio-descriptive captioning in 78 cinemas to enhance the cinema-going experience of visually impaired people; continued funding for film societies; and a fund to help film clubs, societies and community groups to buy digital projection equipment.

Amateur Sports Clubs

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the take-up of rate relief support for amateur sports clubs.

Tessa Jowell: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I   gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Gloucester (Parmjit Dhanda), Official Report, column 1293.

Landmark Buildings

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assistance is available for the preservation of landmark buildings within small communities.

Estelle Morris: English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund run a number of grant schemes which provide assistance for the preservation of listed buildings of historic or architectural importance in both large and small communities. Additionally, English Heritage and local authorities provide advice on practical measures with preservation.

Ofcom (Television Access)

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects Ofcom to publish its code on television access services for people with hearing or sight difficulties.

Tessa Jowell: I understand from OFCOM that they expect to publish the code in the summer.

Olympics 2012

Sydney Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will report progress on London's bid for the 2012 Olympics.

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on progress on the Olympics bid for 2012.

Tessa Jowell: On 18 May the International Olympic Committee announced that London had been accepted as a Candidate City for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, together with Paris, Madrid, New York and Moscow.
	London 2012 is now working on the completion of the Candidate files, which will be submitted to the IOC by 15 November 2004,

Olympics 2012

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans there are to hold Olympic events in Wales.

Tessa Jowell: The bidding company, London 2012 announced the venues for the bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games on 16 January. The Olympic football competition will be held in stadia in Cardiff, Belfast, Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and London. There will be opportunities for sporting facilities across the UK to be used by national teams for training camps.
	In addition the Cultural Olympiad will take place across the UK over the four years up to and including 2012 and the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay is likely to involve every major city and town throughout the UK over several months.

Community Radio

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will announce the funding arrangements for community radio.

Estelle Morris: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 5 March 2004 that £0.5 million pounds has been made available for community radio for each of the next two financial years. OFCOM will administer the fund.

Athletics

David Amess: to ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps her Department is taking to promote participation in athletics; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: Athletics is benefiting from the Government's investment of £10 million into Club Links, which aims to increase the percentage of young people moving between School Sport Partnerships and governing body accredited clubs. This will build new, and strengthen existing, links between schools and clubs and increase participation opportunities.

King Edward VII Convalescent Home

Andrew Turner: to ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the future of the former King Edward VII convalescent home for officers, Osborne.

Tessa Jowell: English Heritage has considered a range of options. A recent study suggests that the most feasible would be to convert the former convalescent home at Osborne House into a high quality hotel.

Audio-description Technology

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of British live theatres are (a) equipped for and (b) operating equipment for audio-description of live performances; and if she will make a statement.

Estelle Morris: Arts Council England estimates that of the 283 theatres they fund in England, 53 (about 19 per cent.) are equipped with and operate their own audio description equipment. 11 additional theatres have their own equipment and use Vocaleyes, an Arts Council England funded organisation, to provide audio description. In the last 12 months, 12 additional theatres have used Vocaleyes for both their equipment and audio description service.
	Arts Council England has committed £165,000 to the core funding of Vocaleyes in 2005–06, an increase of 68 per cent. since 2003–04.

Licensing Act

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what account she has taken of representations from the circus industry in developing the draft guidance under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003.

Richard Caborn: We considered carefully the views expressed to us by, and on behalf of, the circus industry when drawing up the draft Guidance to licensing authorities which was laid before Parliament on 23 March. We have, in so far as possible, made the draft Guidance clearer in relation to circuses. We did not accept their case for exemption during the passage of the Licensing Bill, nor for amending the arrangements for temporary events. Further, it is not possible to create exemptions to the Licensing Act 2003 through the Guidance, as it cannot amend the Act.

Licensing Act

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will delay further parliamentary consideration of the draft guidance issued under section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003 until further representations from the circus industry due to be received on 27 May have been considered.

Richard Caborn: We want to see the Licensing Act 2003 implemented as soon as possible so that consumers, industry and local communities can benefit from the reforms. We do not, therefore, wish to delay Parliament's consideration of the draft Guidance to licensing authorities which was laid on 23 March. I do, however, understand the concerns of circuses and I look forward to meeting the hon. Member and circus industry representatives on 27 May to consider how to assist this important and popular part of our cultural heritage to adjust to the requirements of the new regime in a way that is as smooth and manageable as possible.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

Electoral Registration

Harry Barnes: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what information the Electoral Commission holds on the shortfall in electoral registration.

Peter Viggers: Last year, the Electoral Commission published research assessing the impact on levels of registration of new registration arrangements in Northern Ireland. I understand that the Commission does not currently hold up-to-date information relating to registration shortfalls in England, Scotland and Wales. However, the Commission is currently establishing a research project to identify the extent and nature of under-registration in Great Britain, as well as reviewing the operation and impact of rolling registration since 2001.

All-postal Voting

Bob Russell: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what arrangements the Electoral Commission has made for spot checks on households in all-postal voting areas.

Peter Viggers: While the Electoral Commission has a statutory duty to evaluate the pilot schemes in June, it has no operational role in the conduct of the elections. The Commission has advised Returning Officers of the post-election checks they might use to provide assurance of the security of postal voting, but has no plans to undertake any checks itself during the course of the election period as this could interfere with the conduct of the ballot.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Crown Prosecutors

Edward Garnier: To ask the Solicitor-General what the annual leave allowance is for each grade of Crown Prosecutor.

Harriet Harman: The annual leave allowance for all grades of crown prosecutor below the Senior Civil Service grade (SCS) is 25 days per year on entry to the department, and 30 days upon completion of 10 years' service. Crown prosecutors in the SCS and the Chief Crown Prosecutor grades, are entitled to 30 days' annual leave on entry to the department.

Discontinued Cases (Merseyside)

Mark Field: To ask the Solicitor-General how many cases in the Merseyside area were referred to (a) the Crown court and (b) a magistrates court in each year since 1997; and how many of those cases were subsequently discontinued.

Harriet Harman: The following tables show the number of cases received by CPS Merseyside in the magistrates courts and in the Crown court in each year since 1997. Magistrates courts receipts include cases referred to the Crown Prosecution Service by the police for pre-charge advice and non-criminal proceedings, as well as cases referred to the Service for prosecution. Crown court receipts include appeals and committals for sentence, as well as cases committed for trial.
	The tables show the outcome of cases prosecuted, both in numerical terms and as a proportion of completed cases. The number and percentage of cases discontinued in the magistrates courts, and the number and percentage resulting in a judge ordered acquittal in the Crown court, are included for each year.
	
		
			   1997   1998   1999   2000   2001   2002   2003 
			 No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % 
		
		
			 47,080 — 45,557 — 47,969 — 49,158 — 42,307 — 46,876 — 48,383 — 
			 5,451 13.1 5,550 13.7 6,502 15.2 6,759 15.9 6,084 16.3 5,447 14.0 5,584 13.9 
			 3,138 7.6 2,112 5.2 3,434 8.0 3,042 7.2 2,255 6.0 2,260 5.8 1,749 4.4 
			 41 0.1 39 0.1 48 0.1 11 0.0 7 0.0  0.0 67 0.2 
			 47 0.1 56 0.1 81 0.2 78 0.2 85 0.2 88 0.2 110 0.3 
			 946 2.3 673 1.7 457 1.1 708 1 .7 622 1 .7 520 1.3 647 1 .6 
			 25,603 61.7 26,374 65.0 25,615 59.9 24,487 57.6 23,173 61.9 24,706 63.4 25,088 62.4 
			 4,226 10.2 4,137 10.2 5,012 11.7 5,883 13.8 3,989 10.7 4,985 12.8 5,834 14.5 
			 2,051 4.9 1,662 4.1 1,619 3.8 1,541 3.6 1,200 3.2 945 2.4 1,114 2.8 
			 9,623 23.2 8,430 20.8 10,522 24.6 10,598 24.9 9,053 24.2 8,315 213 8,757 20.3 
			 31,880 76.8 32,173 79.2 32,246 75.4 31,911 75.1 28,362 75.8 30,636 78.7 32,036 79.7 
		
	
	
		
			   1997   1998   1999   2000   2001   2002   2003 
			 No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % 
		
		
			 5,022 — 4,854 — 4,411 — 4,569 — 3,947 — 4,183 — 4,518 — 
			 447 10.9 637 14.8 443 12.7 589 16.0 687 19.0 654 18.0 686 18.9 
			 45 1.1 123 2.9 188 5.4 123 3.3 142 3.9 123 3.4 78 2.2 
			 56 1 .4 52 1.2 49 1 .4 61 1 .7 64 1 .8 75 2.1 85 2.3 
			 273 6.7 253 5.9 259 7.4 263 7.1 330 9.1 299 8.2 301 8.3 
			 2,969 72.4 2,843 66.0 2,178 62.6 2,330 63.2 2,062 56.9 2,105 57.8 2,151 59.3 
			 313 7.6 397 9.2 363 10.4 323 8.8 338 9.3 384 10.5 324 8.9 
			 821 20.0 1,065 24.7 939 27.0 7,036 28.7 7,223 33.8 7,757 37.6 7,750 31.7 
			 3,282 80.0 3,240 75.3 2,541 73.0 2,653 77.9 2,400 66.2 2,489 68.4 2,475 68.3

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Joint Custody

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many separated parents have joint custody of their children; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: Since the Children Act 1989 was implemented in 1991, "custody" of a child has ceased to be a concept in the law of England and Wales. Under Section 8 of the Children Act 1989 a court has the power to make a residence order, being
	"an order settling the arrangements to be made as to the person with whom a child is to live".
	Section 1(5) of the Children Act provides that a court cannot make an order unless it considers that doing so would be better for the child than making no order at all ("the no order principle"). It follows that, if parents are agreed on the arrangements for their child, then it may be that the matter never comes before a court, or that, if it is before a court, the court considers that it is better for the child that no order be made. In other cases, such as those where there is no agreement between the parents, it is open to the court to make a residence order, if it considers that it is in the best interests of the child to do so. Such an order might be a "shared residence" order (so that the child lives with both parents, at different times, usually spending around half his time with each). The following table shows the latest available judicial statistics (2002). During 2002 a total of 103,191 section 8 orders were made in private law.
	
		Disposal of selected applicants in private law in all tiers of court, 2002
		
			 Nature of application Applications withdrawn Orders refused Orders of no order Orders made 
		
		
			 Parental responsibility 773 290 132 8,240 
			  
			 Section 8 
			 Residence 1,536 158 431 30,006 
			 Contact 2,373 518 945 61,356 
			 Prohibited steps 300 40 77 8,889 
			 Specific issue 207 33 67 2,940

Connexions

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the effects on the private sector of his Department's decision to reduce the amount it will offset against Connexions partnerships' VAT costs.

Margaret Hodge: We have recommended that partnerships look to improve their tax efficiency. It does not automatically follow that this will have any effect on sub-contracting to private providers. The Department is monitoring how partnerships are dealing with the reduction in VAT transitional funding and we have made it clear that we expect them to continue to involve the private sector. We know that the lead body model is   the most tax efficient and an increasing number of areas are adopting this, leaving private sector careers contracts in place.

Connexions

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations he has received from private providers of Connexions services concerning his Department's decision to reduce the amount it will offset against partrnership's VAT costs.

Margaret Hodge: In total my Department has received 12 representations from private providers about the decision to reduce the amount of transitional support to Connexions partnerships.

Connexions

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether it is his Department's policy to ensure that Connexions partnerships commit themselves to maintaining the pension benefits of private providers' staff if a partnership opts to shift from a sub-contracting operational model to a system of direct delivery and to incorporate the private providers' staff.

Margaret Hodge: Connexions Partnerships are private companies with obligations to their individual boards. As such the Department is unable to become involved in individual decisions about pension benefits for Connexions staff. This includes where a partnership opts to shift from a sub-contracting operational model to a system of direct delivery and to incorporate the private providers' staff. We would however expect Connexions partnerships to give due regard to any incoming staff and to make every effort to ensure that they are not disadvantaged in any way.

Departmental Annual Report

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much the production of his Department's latest annual report cost; how many copies were printed; how many copies of it were sold at its cover price; to whom copies of the report have been provided free of charge; and how many copies were provided free of charge.

Stephen Twigg: While the Department pays for some production costs of its annual report, these only cover the design and typesetting. The costs of printing are met directly by the publisher, The Stationery Office (TSO) and do not fall to the Department. The Department buys in copies from the TSO to distribute internally and to our partners.
	The costs for the Department for Education and Skills 2004 Report was:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 Typesetting and design 17,500 
			 Buying in copies from TSO 12,000 
			 Total 29,500 
		
	
	Other costs of printing and publication are met directly by the publisher, The Stationery Office Limited (TSO), and do not fall to Government. It is also for TSO to decide how many are printed. As the report was   published on 30 April, there is no meaningful information yet available on numbers of copies sold by TSO.
	The number of copies distributed free of charge was:
	
		
			  Number of copies 
		
		
			 Vote Office 150 
			 Paper Office 50 
			 HMT 10 
			 Ofsted 15 
			   
			 DfES internal  
			 Parliamentary Office 22 
			 Library 20 
			 Press Office 25 
			 Labour Attachés 50 
			 SoS, Ministers, Special Advisers 9 
			 Board, DGs, Directors 32 
			 DMs and policy contributors 125 
			 Total 508 
		
	
	The report is also available on the departmental website free of charge at http://www.dfes.gov.uk/deptreport2004/.

Disabled Children

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many families of disabled children have been provided with short breaks through the Quality Protects programme; what proportion that represents as a total of such families; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: £60 million was earmarked for services for disabled children and their families for the years 2001–04 through the Quality Protects programme. This funding was mainstreamed into local authority budgets from 2004–05. We do not count the number of additional children supported by the Quality Protects grant. The Children in Need Census 2003, collected information of any disabled child receiving resources from the Local Authority Social Services Department within the Census week, and identified a total of 4,560 disabled children as receiving short term breaks from a   total of 29,700 receiving a service. There are approximately 320,000 disabled children in England, including 110,000 severely disabled children.

Education Services (Essex)

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average class size in state primary schools was in (a) the County of Essex in each year from 1980 to 1997 and (b) the County of Essex and the unitary authorities of Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock in each year from 1998 to 2003.

Stephen Twigg: The requested information is given in the table.
	
		Maintained primary schools(4): average class size(5)—position in January each year 1980 to 2003
		
			  Average size of one teacher classes 
			  Essex LEA 3 Southend-on-Sea(7) Thurrock 4 
		
		
			 1980 27.1 (8)— (8)— 
			 1981 26.8 (8)— (8)— 
			 1982 26.7 (8)— (8)— 
			 1983 26.4 (8)— (8)— 
			 1984 26.5 (8)— (8)— 
			 1985 26.6 (8)— (8)— 
			 1986 27.1 (8)— (8)— 
			 1987 26.5 (8)— (8)— 
			 1988 26.1 (8)— (8)— 
			 1989 26.0 (8)— (8)— 
			 1990 26.1 (8)— (8)— 
			 1991 26.7 (8)— (8)— 
			 1992 26.6 (8)— (8)— 
			 1993 26.8 (8)— (8)— 
			 1994 26.9 (8)— (8)— 
			 1995 26.9 (8)— (8)— 
			 1996 26.9 (8)— (8)— 
			 1997 27.3 (8)— (8)— 
			 1998 27.6 (8)— (8)— 
			 1999 27.7 28.4 27.6 
			 2000 27.4 28.0 26.9 
			 2001 26.9 28.0 26.4 
			 2002 26.5 28.0 25.5 
			 2003 26.6 27.9 26.3 
		
	
	1  Includes middle schools as deemed.
	2  Classes as taught during a selected period on the day of the census.
	3  Definition of the local education authority area changed in 1999 as a result of government office reorganisation.
	4  Applicable from 1999—after local government reorganisation.
	5  Not applicable.
	Source:
	Annual Schools' Census

School Meals

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children in (a) Brent East and (b) each London borough claim free school meals; and what estimate he has made of those eligible to claim free school meals in each case.

Stephen Twigg: Available information relates to (i) the number of pupils who are known to be eligible for and claim a free school meal, and (ii) the number of pupils who took a free school meal.
	Figures for Brent East are given in the table. The same information for local education authorities in London has been placed in the House of Commons Library.
	
		Maintained primary and secondary schools(4): School meal arrangements as at January 2004 (provisional)2—Brent East Parliamentary Constituency
		
			  Number of pupils Pupils who are known to be eligible for and claim free school meals Pupils who have a free school meal 4 
			  on roll 3 Number Percentage(8) Number Percentage(8) 
		
		
			 Primary schools 7,590 2,340 30.9 1,910 25.2 
			 Secondary schools 2,730 930 34.0 780 28.7 
		
	
	(4) Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(5) Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10
	(6) Includes pupils with single and dual registration.
	(7) The number of pupils who took a free school meal on the day of the census.
	(8) Pupils expressed as a percentage of total pupils on roll.
	Source:
	Annual Schools' Census
	
		Maintained primary and secondary schools(9): School meal arrangements as at January 2004 (provisional)2—London local education authority areas
		
			   Primary schools 
			   Number of pupils Pupils who are known to be eligible for and claim free school meals Pupils who have free school meals(12) 
			   on roll 3 Number Percentage(13) Number Percentage(13) 
		
		
			  London 628,490 167,530 26.7 139,060 22.1 
			  Inner London 229,910 88,380 38.4 74,780 32.5 
			 202 Camden 11,460 4,900 42.8 4,040 35.2 
			 201 City of London 0 0 (14)— 0 (14)— 
			 204 Hackney 17,950 7,360 41.0 6,400 35.7 
			 205 Hammersmith and Fulham 9,780 4,350 44.5 3,700 37.8 
			 309 Haringey 21,920 7,860 35.9 6,850 31.2 
			 206 Islington 14,740 6,000 40.7 5,230 35.5 
			 207 Kensington and Chelsea 7,040 2,810 39.9 2,360 33.6 
			 208 Lambeth 19,900 7,500 37.7 6,410 32.2 
			 209 Lewisham 22,130 6,260 28.3 4,920 22.2 
			 316 Newham 31,280 11,480 36.7 9,240 29.5 
			 210 Southwark 23,630 8,480 35.9 6,910 29.2 
			 211 Tower Hamlets 22,030 11,880 53.9 9,910 45.0 
			 212 Wandsworth 17,220 5,110 29.7 4,960 28.8 
			 213 Westminster 10,830 4,390 40.5 3,860 35.6 
		
	
	
		Maintained primary and secondary schools(9): School meal arrangements as at January 2004 (provisional)2—London local education authority areas
		
			   Secondary schools 
			   Number of pupils Pupils who are known to be eligible for and claim free school meals Pupils who have free school meals(12) 
			   on roll 3 Number Percentage(13) Number Percentage(13) 
		
		
			  London 420,270 100,400 23.9 77,310 18.4 
			  Inner London 126,160 49,460 39.2 39,080 31.0 
			 202 Camden 9,700 2,890 29.8 2,450 25.3 
			 201 City of London (14)— (14)— (14)— (14)— (14)— 
			 204 Hackney 7,350 3,060 41.7 2,130 28.9 
			 205 Hammersmith and Fulham 7,220 2,350 32.5 1,900 26.3 
			 309 Haringey 11,250 4,290 38.1 3,710 33.0 
			 206 Islington 7,880 3,540 45.0 2,590 32.9 
			 207 Kensington and Chelsea 3,500 990 28.4 830 23.8 
			 208 Lambeth 7,800 3,050 39.1 2,550 32.7 
			 209 Lewisham 11,650 3,560 30.6 2,570 22.1 
			 316 Newham 18,140 7,830 43.2 6,240 34.4 
			 210 Southwark 10,040 4,650 46.3 4,110 40.9 
			 211 Tower Hamlets 12,930 7,680 59.4 5,350 41.4 
			 212 Wandsworth 10,300 2,710 26.3 2,070 20.1 
			 213 Westminster 8,410 2,850 33.9 2,590 30.8 
		
	
	(9) Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(10) Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	(11) Includes pupils with single and dual registration.
	(12) The number of pupils who took a free school meal on the day of the census.
	(13) Pupils expressed as a percentage of total pupils on roll.
	(14) Not applicable; no schools of this type
	Source:
	Annual Schools' Census
	
		Maintained primary and secondary schools(15): School meal arrangements as at January 2004 (provisional)(16)—London local education authority areas
		
			   Primary schools 
			   Number of pupils Pupils who are known to be eligible for and claim free school meals Pupils who have free school meals(18) 
			   on roll 3 Number Percentage(19) Number Percentage(19) 
		
		
			  Outer London 398,580 79,150 19.9 64,270 16.1 
			 301 Barking and Dagenham 18,490 4,510 24.4 3,840 20.8 
			 302 Barnet 25,830 4,900 19.0 4,130 16.0 
			 303 Bexley 21,480 2,770 12.9 1,960 9.1 
			 304 Brent 22,820 6,670 29.2 5,550 24.3 
			 305 Bromley 24,210 3,320 13.7 2,570 10.6 
			 306 Croydon 30,300 6,650 22.0 5,350 17.6 
			 307 Ealing 26,200 6,720 25.7 5,450 20.8 
			 308 Enfield 26,840 6,710 25.0 5,710 21.3 
			 203 Greenwich 20,660 7,380 35.7 5,680 27.5 
			 310 Harrow 19,520 3,090 15.8 2,520 12.9 
			 311 Havering 20,110 2,400 11.9 1,920 9.6 
			 312 Hillingdon 24,210 3,950 16.3 2,900 12.0 
			 313 Hounslow 18,980 4.250 22.4 3,660 19.3 
			 314 Kingston upon Thames 11,640 920 7.9 750 6.4 
			 315 Merton 14,570 2,030 13.9 1,670 11.4 
			 317 Redbridge 23,680 3,870 16.4 3,240 13.7 
			 318 Richmond upon Thames 12,590 1,180 9.4 970 7.7 
			 319 Sutton 15,140 2,030 13.4 1,670 11.0 
			 320 Waltham Forest 21,320 5,810 27.3 4,750 22.3 
		
	
	
		Maintained primary and secondary schools(15): School meal arrangements as at January 2004 (provisional)2—London local education authority areas
		
			   Secondary schools 
			   Number of pupils Pupils who are known to be eligible for and claim free school meals Pupils who have free school meals(18) 
			   on roll 3 Number Percentage(19) Number Percentage(19) 
		
		
			  Outer London 294,110 50,940 17.3 38,220 13.0 
			 301 Barking and Dagenham 12,090 3,220 26.6 2,140 17.7 
			 302 Barnet 21,150 3,280 15.5 2,530 12.0 
			 303 Bexley 18,020 1,530 8.5 1,120 6.2 
			 304 Brent 15,940 3,500 21.9 2,590 16.2 
			 305 Bromley 22,240 2,300 10.4 1,780 8.0 
			 306 Croydon 18,680 3,490 18.7 2,770 14.8 
			 307 Ealing 14,950 4,210 28.1 3,410 22.8 
			 308 Enfield 21,640 4,350 20.1 2,690 12.4 
			 203 Greenwich 14,410 4,250 29.5 3,100 21.5 
			 310 Harrow 9,050 1,650 18.2 1,380 15.2 
			 311 Havering 16,520 1,630 9.9 1,280 7.7 
			 312 Hillingdon 17,810 2,960 16.6 2,310 12.9 
			 313 Hounslow 16,680 3,110 18.7 2,780 16.6 
			 314 Kingston upon Thames 9,340 810 8.7 680 7.3 
			 315 Merton 8,600 1,370 16.0 1,030 11.9 
			 317 Redbridge 20,020 2,960 14.8 2,060 10.3 
			 318 Richmond upon Thames 7,350 1,210 16.5 940 12.7 
			 319 Sutton 15,730 1,280 8.1 940 6.0 
			 320 Waltham Forest 13,890 3,840 27.6 2,710 19.5 
		
	
	(15) Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(16) Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	(17) Includes pupils with single and dual registration.
	(18) The number of pupils who took a free school meal on the day of the census.
	(19) Pupils expressed as a percentage of total pupils on roll.
	(20) Not applicable; no schools of this type
	Source:
	Annual Schools' Census

Head Lice

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the prevalence of head lice in schools.

Margaret Hodge: The Department does not keep records of the incidence of head lice in schools and has not made an assessment. To help schools combat this problem the Department of Health have produced a leaflet, "The prevention and treatment of head lice". The local primary care trust can also provide information which teachers can pass on to children and parents as part of an overall health education policy.

Inter-country Adoption

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to facilitate inter-country adoption with all signatories of the 1993 Hague Convention.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 19 May 2004
	The UK ratified the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in relation to inter-country adoption on 1 June 2003. My Department, which under the Convention acts as the central authority for the UK, is working closely with other signatories to remove any obstacles to the successful operation of the Convention.

Inter-country Adoption

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many signatories of the 1993 Hague Convention have suspended inter-country adoption with the UK.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 19 May 2004
	Romania has introduced a suspension on all inter-country adoptions, not just with the UK. No other signatories to the Convention have suspended work on inter-country adoption with the UK.

Inter-country Adoption

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State forEducation and Skills what research he has commissioned into the impact of the arrangements for inter-country adoption which came into effect on 1 June 2003.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 19 May 2004
	My Department launched a full public consultation on arrangements for intercountry adoption on 31 January 2004. This will bring intercountry adoption within the framework of the Adoption and Children Act 2002.
	The consultation document specifically asked for comments and feedback on the implementation of the current arrangements for intercountry adoption, which came into effect on 1 June 2003. The consultation closed on 30 April. My Department also held consultation meetings with frontline staff and other stakeholders to discuss the impact of the 1 June 2003 changes.
	All of the feedback received on the changes made on 1 June 2003 will be taken into account before the new arrangements to be made under the Adoption and Children Act 2002 are finalised.

Inter-country Adoption

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has had with Belarus regarding intercountry adoption.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 19 May 2004
	My Department has opened a dialogue with the Central Authority in Belarus regarding the procedures for intercountry adoption following Belarus' ratification of the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption.

International Baccalaureate

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) state secondary schools and   (b) sixth form colleges offer the International Baccalaureate as an alternative to A-levels.

David Miliband: There are 18 maintained secondary schools that offer the International Baccalaureate. Of these, nine submitted results for 16 to 18-year-olds for publication in the 2004 Performance Tables.
	There are two Sixth Form Colleges that offer the International Baccalaureate. Neither of these submitted results for 16 to 18-year-olds for publication in the 2004 Performance Tables.

Local Network and Children's Funds

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money has been allocated through the (a) Local Network Fund and (b) Children's Fund to the North East of England; what criteria his Department has laid down for the allocation of this money; and how the arrangements are audited.

Margaret Hodge: The total allocation for the Local Network Fund for Children and Young People and the Children's Fund, in the North East, since May 2001 when the programmes were launched is as follows.
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 Local Network Fund for Children and Young People 7,215,152 
			 Children's Fund: 38,122,961 
		
	
	Criteria
	The Local Network Fund and Children's Fund are key elements of the Government's agenda to improve outcomes and opportunities for disadvantaged children and young people. The two programmes have different criteria and delivery arrangements:
	The Children's Fund targets 5 to 13-year-olds and aims to develop local preventive strategies for children and young people at risk from social exclusion. The Fund contributes to the development of the wider Local Preventative Strategy which the Government have asked each local authority to develop for 0 to 19-year-olds. Local Children's Fund partnership boards, covering unitary authorities, decide local priorities for preventive services and allocate funds through direct commissioning or by inviting applications.
	The Local Network Fund targets 0 to 19-year-olds and is delivered through the voluntary sector. Grants up to £7,000 and capacity building support are available to small community groups working with children and young people facing disadvantage. Applicants can bid for funding under one of four themes: economic disadvantage, isolation and access, aspirations and experiences and children's voices. Decisions on funding are taken by panels of local people with experience of the issues faced by young people in their area.
	Audit
	The Children's Fund, in the North East is administered through 12 programmes each with their own partnership board, lead agency and accountable body. Partnership boards comprise voluntary organisations, statutory agencies as well as members of the local community. The lead agency is responsible for the operational direction of the programme while the accountable body ensures the financial probity of the Fund.
	The Local Network Fund is delivered through a   network of 57 local Funds run by voluntary organisations with grant-making and community development experience. Local Funds report, quarterly, to DFES on financial and service performance. DFES also undertakes regular monitoring visits to Funds to assess and improve performance and undertakes an annual financial and performance audit of the Fund.

Local Network and Children's Funds

Nick Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much money from (a) the Children's Fund and (b) the Local Network Fund has been allocated to projects serving Newcastle East and Wallsend parliamentary constituency.

Margaret Hodge: Information on both the Local Network Fund and Children's Fund is not collected on a parliamentary constituency basis.
	Newcastle East and Wallsend is covered by the Tyne and Wear Local Network Fund which has a total allocation since 2001 of £3,146,297.
	Newcastle East constituency is within the Newcastle Children's Fund which has a total allocation since 2001 of £4,965,059.
	Wallsend is within the North Tyneside Children's Fund which has a total allocation since 2001 of £2,080,433.
	Allocations for both programmes are based on indices of child poverty.

Panjabi

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has for the teaching of Panjabi in schools.

Stephen Twigg: The Department encourages schools to offer a wide range of languages, including community languages. Under current national curriculum requirements, schools are free to offer any modern foreign language, including Panjabi, as long as the offer includes at least one of the working languages of the European Union.
	Learners of Panjabi will be able to have their language skills recognised by the Languages Ladder—the National Recognition Scheme—which will be rolled out nationally from September 2005.

Prison Education

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the budget was in each of the last five years for prisoners undertaking (a) distance learning courses, (b) Open University or other degree courses, (c) basic skills qualifications, (d) GCSE qualifications and (e) A-level qualifications.

Ivan Lewis: Funding for the Offenders' Learning and Skills Unit is ring-fenced and administered jointly by DfES and the Home Office. Prisons are allocated a total education budget and have flexibility to use this to purchase education to meet their learners' needs. Budgets are not disaggregated by level of course or qualification. Core funding for prisoners' education for the last five years is:
	
		£ millions
		
			 Financial year Education expenditure 
		
		
			 1999–2000 40.9 
			 2000–01 41.9 
			 2001–02 52.6 
			 2002–03 59.4 
			 2003–04 70.9

Prison Education

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many prisoners in each of the last five years successfully completed (a) distance learning courses, (b) Open University or other degree courses, (c) basic skills qualifications, (d) GCSE qualifications and (e) A-level qualifications.

Ivan Lewis: The table as follows shows all prisoner achievements in Open University courses over the past five years.
	
		
			  Completed Passed 
		
		
			 1998–99 185 160 
			 1999–00 220 189 
			 2000–01 245 211 
			 2001–02 250 213 
			 2002–03 343 307 
		
	
	We do not hold information on the completion of Distance Learning courses and current data collection systems do not allow us to report on awards gained across the prison estate at GCSE and A level.
	The table as follows shows prisoner achievement in basic skills against national targets over the past four years. In 2000–01 and 2001–02 targets were set at level 2 because qualifications at this level are considered key to enhancing individual employability.
	We widened targets from 2002–03 to cover all levels to enable prison establishments to be more responsive to the range of learning needs among their population.
	
		
			  Target Achievement (percentage) 
		
		
			 2000–01 (21)14,500 12,500 (86) 
			 2001–02 (21)18,000 16,000 (88) 
			 2002–03 (22)28,800 41,518 (144) 
			 2003–04(23) (provisional) (22)36,631 46,517 (127) 
		
	
	(21) Level 2
	(22) All levels
	(23) Provisional

Recycling

Parmjit Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will introduce measures to promote recycling in schools.

Stephen Twigg: The Citizenship curriculum includes teaching pupils about issues that impact on the society and the environment. Pupils should learn about what improves and harms their local environment and about the importance of recycling. This is part of Education for Sustainable Development which is a statutory requirement in the Science, Geography, Design and Technology and Citizenship curricula.

School Councils

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to promote school councils in primary schools.

Stephen Twigg: To support schools to introduce a school or class council, the Department has funded School Councils UK to produce a primary schools toolkit to help teachers and pupils to set up effective councils. The primary toolkit was made available to schools in September 2000. The Department has just   issued statutory guidance to LEAs and school governing bodies ("Working Together: giving children and young people a say") on pupil participation, which promotes the value of school councils in actively engaging pupils in decision making processes.
	The National Assembly for Wales which has responsibility for Education there has decided to make school councils mandatory in all Welsh schools.

School Governors

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to give special recognition to school governors with 25 years' service.

David Miliband: The Department is currently examining ways in which the profile of school governors can be raised and their efforts celebrated and better recognised. A project board has been established and will hold its first meeting early in June. The board's representatives are drawn from the National Governors' Council, the National Association of Governors and Managers, the National Co-ordinators of Governor Services, the Trades Union Congress, the Confederation of British Industry, HSBC Bank, The Rayne Foundation, The Education Network and the School Governors' One-Stop Shop. Long-service awards are being considered as part of this initiative.

School Nurses

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance he issues to (a) primary care trusts and (b) local education authorities on the employment of school nurses.

David Miliband: The Department for Education and Skills has not issued specific guidance to primary care trusts or local education authorities on the employment of school nurses, as school nurses come within the remit of the Secretary of State for Health. We do, however, recognise that school nurses play an important role in offering health and nursing advice and support to schools, such as in advising and training staff on managing pupils' medical conditions. This is acknowledged in the joint DfES and Department of Health good practice guide 'Supporting pupils with medical needs'.

Schools (Capital Investment)

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 17 May, Official Report, column 709W, on schools (capital investment), what priority will be given in subsequent waves to schools excluded from a wave one bid which   did not cover all schools in a local education authority.

David Miliband: Schools in a local authority that have been successful in wave 1 of Building Schools for the Future which are not in its wave 1 project will not be given any special priority in subsequent waves of investment. Decisions on prioritisation of all groups of schools submitted by local authorities for the next waves of investment will be taken on the basis of the published criteria.

Schools (South Ribble)

David Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the effects on schools of changes since 1997 in the level of investment in schools in South Ribble.

David Miliband: Details of investment in education initiatives in schools in the South Ribble constituency have been placed in the Library.

Secondary Transfer (Barnet)

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on secondary transfer in Barnet, with reference to children whose birthdays fall close to 31 August.

Stephen Twigg: I am aware that in Barnet some parents are encountering problems in transferring their child to secondary school because the child has been educated below its chronological year group. My officials have written to the Local Education Authority to ask it to work with its schools to broker a solution. We understand that an established Working Party, set up by the Admissions Forum, has agreed to look into the issue, and to consider strategies for dealing with the current situation.
	All admission authorities have a duty to consider applications for places at their schools in accordance with their published admission arrangements. Where places are sought for children who are out of their normal year groups, the School Admissions Code of Practice advises admission authorities to consider such requests fully and to make decisions on the basis of the circumstances of each case, even if it is not their general practice to educate children out of year group.

Sure Start

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has further to develop Sure Start programmes in Tamworth constituency, with particular reference to rural areas.

Margaret Hodge: Children's centres represent the next stage of the Government's plans to expand high quality integrated service provision for young children. By March 2008 we aim to have children's centres services available to all under-fives and their families living in the 20 per cent. most disadvantaged wards, which include Glascote in Tamworth.
	As a first step to achieving this, local authorities have been allocated funding and targets to enable them to reach 65 per cent. of under-fives and their families through children's centres by March 2006. We expect them to build on their existing Sure Start local programmes, Early Excellence Centres and Neighbourhood Nurseries. Additional funding has also been made available to cover the extra costs of providing children's centre services in rural areas. It is the local authority's responsibility to determine how to allocate these resources to best serve the needs of families.

Targeted Capital Fund

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the bids he received from Staffordshire Local Education Authority for the 2004–05 Targeted Capital Fund by (a) name of school, (b) type of school, (c) location of school, (d) purpose of bid, (e) amount of bid and (f) whether the bid was successful.

David Miliband: Staffordshire local education authority (LEA) submitted three bids to the Targeted Capital Fund (TCF) for 2004–05. One was for a project at LEA schools and two were for projects at voluntary aided (VA) schools. These are in the following table:
	
		Bid A—Rugeley reorganisation
		
			  Schools included  Type of school Location of school  Purpose  Amount of bid Successful (yes or no) 
		
		
			 Chancel Infants Community All Rugeley To rationalise the schools, provide additional early years places, community and special Education need (SEN) facilities and remove 520 surplus places. 3,531,000 Yes 
			 Churchfield C of E (C) Junior Voluntary controlled 
			 Flaxley Primary Community 
			 Hob Hill C of E/Methodist Primary Voluntary controlled 
			 Nursery Fields Primary Community 
			   
			 Pear Tree Community Primary Community 
			 Ravenhill Primary Community 
			 Western Springs Primary Community 
		
	
	
		Bid C—Extension/alterations to St. John Fisher Catholic School
		
			  Schools included  Type of school Location of school  Purpose Amount of bid (£) Successful (yes or no) 
		
		
			 St. John Fisher Catholic High School VA Newcastle To raise standards, by expanding opportunity and flexibility of provision especially at 14–19: extending provision for SEN and the wider inclusion agenda providing for worksorce reform. 3,329,054 No 
		
	
	
		Bid D—St John the Evangelist Catholic School Amalgamation
		
			  Schools included  Type of school Location of school  Purpose Amount of bid (£) Successful (yes or no) 
		
		
			 St. John the Evangelist Catholic Primary VA Stoke on Trent To amalgamate St. John the Evangelist Catholic split site primary school onto the upper site in Gloucester Road. 1,875,465 No

Targeted Capital Fund

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what the purpose is of the 2004–05 Targeted Capital Fund;
	(2)  if he will list the criteria by which bids for the 2004–05 Targeted Capital Fund were judged;
	(3)  what plans the Department has to invite bids for a further Targeted Capital Fund;
	(4)  how many bids for the 2004–05 Targeted Capital Fund were made by (a) state schools and (b) voluntary-aided schools;
	(5)  if he will list the 68 projects which were successful in making bids of £186 million to the 2004–05 Targeted Capital Fund;
	(6)  how many bids for the 2004–05 Targeted Capital Fund were made by schools in the West Midlands region; and how many were successful.

David Miliband: The Targeted Capital Fund (TCF) is a relatively limited programme and is intended to support projects which contribute directly to meeting the Government's educational priorities, and which might not otherwise be supported through formulaic allocations to local education authorities (LEAs) and schools.
	The key criteria for 2004–05 TCF bids focused on schools causing concern, curriculum improvements, expansion of popular and successful schools, surplus place removal, improved special education needs provision and innovative use of buildings. Full details of the bid criteria for 2004–05 are listed in the guidance, a copy of which can be found in the Library. Bids for TCF projects are made to the Department by LEAs on behalf of their schools.
	We hope to announce shortly the arrangements for the TCF for 2005–06. For the 2004–05 TCF round, we received 202 LEA bids covering 373 schools in total, and 199 voluntary aided school bids covering 223 schools. For the West Midlands region, 39 bids were made, nine of which were successful.
	The following table shows the 68 successful 2004–05 TCF bids:
	
		2004–05 TCF projects
		
			 LEA Project Net cost (£) 
		
		
			 Hackney Replacement and expansion of primary school 4,803,120 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham Establishment of centralised single-site pupil referral unit 507,500 
			 Islington Physical and Sensory SEN Service Area Development—school co-location 3,896,000 
			 Tower Hamlets To raise standards by improving premises 681,264 
			 Croydon Autistic resource at special school 960,000 
			 Ealing Replacement SEN School with new centre of excellence 4,520,000 
			 Enfield Wilbury Primary School, new build and remodelling to replace huts 3,868,000 
			 Kingston-upon-Thames Regeneration of primary school 2,694,268 
			 Kingston-upon-Thames To provide a learning centre based on the City Learning Centre model 1,862,436 
			 Merton Improvement of SMART centres to meet pupils medical educational needs 692,000 
			 Coventry New replacement 1.5 FE community primary school and nursery 3,000,000 
			 Sandwell New build primary school and children's centre, Tipton 3,019,753 
			 Walsall To open a two FE primary with a 26 FTE nursery class 2,550,818 
			 Wolverhampton Primary rationalisation 3,506,090 
			 Liverpool New building for amalgamated school 3,157,472 
			 Wirral Rationalisation of science accommodation 644,010 
			 Wirral Construction of sports hall 1,540,887 
			 Bury A new high school for Radcliffe 5,000,000 
			 Manchester Development and expansion of two successful and popular primary schools 4,960,000 
			 Rochdale Transformation in Central Heywood primary schools 3,391,635 
			 Stockport Inclusive space to raise standards and to deliver the Workplace Reform 1,772,290 
			 Trafford Replace school with significant defects and remove surplus places 3,999,163 
			 Bradford Specialist provision for pupils with emotional and behavioural needs 4,106,500 
			 Cornwall Improve primary and SEN provision in Penzance 1,415,248 
			 Tameside To replace one primary school with a 1.5 FE building 2,125,000 
			 Wigan New primary school in Platt Bridge 2,405,601 
			 Sheffield Woodthorpe 3,100,000 
			 Calderdale New sixth form and community facility 4,786,444 
			 Kirklees Refurbishment and remodelling of two schools in special measures 2,492,000 
			 Leeds Establishment of a new school in the Holbeck area 3,507,930 
			 South Gloucestershire King Edmund Target Capital Fund bid 2,471,930 
			 Stockton-on-Tees Replacement of faculty of science and technology to enhance curriculum 1,569,500 
			 North Lincolnshire Establishment of new school to replace existing school 3,375,804 
			 York Performing arts and community education centre 2,600,000 
			 Milton Keynes Successful school expansion to be enhanced by ICT Infrastructure 4,970,000 
			 Derbyshire New library, ICT and music block 1,640,800 
			 Derbyshire Learning resource centre 2,590,049 
			 Derby Establish accommodation for a pupil referral unit for KS3 1,849,600 
			 Durham 21st century community school—Gurney Valley 2,714,856 
			 Brighton and Hove Provision of post-16 places for young people with special needs 3,028,800 
			 Leicestershire Project to support inclusion and develop SEN expertise in the area 3,526,264 
			 Leicester Braunstone Primary Reorganisation 2 1,649,032 
			 Leicester Braunstone Primary Reorganisation 1 2,996,125 
			 Staffordshire Rugeley Reorganisation 3,531,000 
			 Stoke-on-Trent Proposed Woodhouse primary school 2,064,000 
			 Wiltshire Integrated provision for ASD pupils in Key Stages 3 and 4 862,420 
			 Swindon Autistic spectrum disorder—centre of excellence 1,600,000 
			 Bracknell Forest Raising performance at Brakenhale Campus through the provision of an OLC 2,400,000 
			 Wokingham The Wokingham Special School of the Future 5,000,000 
			 Cambridgeshire Residential provision for children with special educational needs 435,115 
			 Devon Raising standards in Exeter 3,621,501 
			 Devon 14 to 19 Learning Centre to increase participation in rural community 741,407 
			 Plymouth Modernisation and refurbishment of special school 2,711,035 
			 Torbay Brixham primary re-organisation 1,475,840 
			 Southend-on-Sea Improvement of sport, PE and performing arts infrastructure 2,464,236 
			 Southend-on-Sea Remodelling special schools as centres of excellence 2,101,791 
			 Thurrock Improved special educational needs provision 5,000,000 
			 Worcestershire Provision of additional accommodation, science facilities and LRC 2,268,800 
			 Worcestershire To provide enhanced management facilities and new focused entrance 502,240 
			 Kent Replace temporary accommodation by incorporating into main building 2,004,800 
			 Medway Creation of a full service extended school: community hub 2,312,407 
			 Nottingham Establishment of new school to replace unsuitable 1930's school 4,216,337 
			 Gloucestershire Archway School refurbishment 4,999,602 
			 Hertfordshire Design technology replacement and additional accommodation 1,869,040 
			 Norfolk South Lynn—new school and relocation of nursery 3,066,431 
			 Northamptonshire Transfer of Raeburn Special School to Tiffield 4,576,000 
			 Northumberland First school replacement 1,604,000 
			 Suffolk Primary school—regeneration 5,000,000

Targeted Capital Fund

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the projects which made successful bids to the Targeted Capital Fund by (a) name of school, (b) location of school, (c) type of   school, (d) name of local education authority, (e) purpose of bid and (f) amount of money awarded.

David Miliband: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

Trafficked Children

Hilton Dawson: To ask the Secretary of State for   Education and Skills what conclusions he has reached about services for trafficked children following Operation Paladin.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 19 May 2004
	I welcome the findings of the Paladin report which was published on Monday. Operation Paladin has been a valuable exercise in determining the nature of child migration to the UK. We will work with the Home Office and other organisations in considering the report and its recommendations.
	It is of course for local authorities to decide how best to provide support and services for children in need in its area, including those who are the victims of trafficking. When a child enters the country alone and claims asylum or there are concerns that he or she may have been trafficked, the immigration service should immediately refer the child to the relevant local authority's social services department. The social services department will undertake a needs assessment and will provide services in the light of the outcome of that assessment. These services should be tailored to the individual needs of the child, just as they should be for any child in need.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Airports (Aid)

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which airports in Northern Ireland receive financial aid from (a) Her Majesty's Government, (b) the European Union and (c) other public sources; what the total cost of that support was during the most   recent financial year for which information is available; and how much that support represented per passenger.

John Spellar: During the most recent financial year for which information is available, April 2003 to March 2004, no financial aid was provided from Her Majesty's Government, the European Union or other public sources, for which the Government have responsibility, to airports in Northern Ireland.

Armagh College

Seamus Mallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) A5 and (b) A2 students were enrolled by Armagh College of Further and Higher Education to study (i) French, (ii) chemistry, (iii) art, (iv) physics and (v) economics in (A) 2001–02, (B) 2002–03 and (C) 2003–04.

Barry Gardiner: The following table contains the requested information.
	
		AS/A2 level enrolments at Armagh college 2001–02 to 2003–04
		
			  2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 
			 Subject area AS A2 AS A2 AS A2 
		
		
			 French 15 8 12 10 9 2 
			 Chemistry 25 21 30 23 23 22 
			 Art 23 5 15 8 13 3 
			 Physics 31 11 18 22 4 12 
			 Economics 27 21 10 14 1 11 
			 Total 121 66 85 77 50 50 
		
	
	Source:
	Armagh College (data are provisional).

Arts Funding

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what conditions of (a) copyright and (b) royalty payments are attached to grant aid awarded by the (i) Arts Council of Northern Ireland, (ii) Department of   Culture, Arts and Leisure and (iii) Ulster-Scots Agency.

Angela Smith: The Arts Council of Northern Ireland does not attach conditions relating to (a) copyright or (b) royalty payments to any award. The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure does not award grant aid for the publication of creative writing in Ulster-Scots. Government support for the arts in Northern Ireland is   disbursed chiefly through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
	The Ulster-Scots Agency has stipulated conditions relating to copyright and "royalty" payments in the letters of offer it issues on grant applications. With regard to copyright the Agency has attempted to ensure that it can use material it has grant aided, for example in promotions or on the Agency website. With regard to royalty payments the Agency has attempted to ensure that grants it has made which have a commercial aspect (such as to publishers who will sell books printed with Agency assistance) contain a 'claw back' clause, whereby a percentage of the income from such sales is returned to the Agency. Both of these practices are currently under review.

Corporation Tax

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the impact the low corporation tax rates in operation in the Republic of Ireland has on manufacturing industries in Northern Ireland.

Barry Gardiner: No formal assessment has been made as to the impact that the low corporation tax rate in operation in the Republic of Ireland (RoI) has had on manufacturing industries in Northern Ireland.
	Although the RoI can offer a lower rate of corporation tax, in recent years, Invest NI has successfully secured new investment from the RoI by promoting Northern Ireland as a region where companies can reap the benefits of the greater competitiveness of the Northern Ireland economy. In practice, it has been found that the more competitive cost base in Northern Ireland often outweighs the corporate taxation differential between Northern Ireland and the RoI.
	Indeed, a recent report, commissioned by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, into the cost of operating business in Northern Ireland concluded that lower labour and property costs, which represent a significant component of the cost base of many firms, places Northern Ireland businesses at a competitive advantage vis-a-vis Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

Creative Writing

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total amount of public money granted by the (a) Arts Council of Northern Ireland, (b) Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and (c) Ulster-Scots Agency was towards the publication of   creative writing in the Ulster-Scots language in Northern Ireland in each year since 1999.

Angela Smith: The Arts Council of Northern Ireland has not made funding available specifically for the publication of writing in the Ulster-Scots language. However, in the 1998–99 financial year, the Arts Council made a grant of £7,500 to the Ulster-Scots Language Society for the publication of a book by Philip Robinson. Since then the Arts Council has received no applications for publications in the Ulster-Scots language.
	The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure's funds in support of the arts in Northern Ireland are disbursed chiefly through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Department has not made any funding directly available for the publication of creative writing in the Ulster-Scots language.
	The amount of funding granted by the Ulster-Scots Agency towards the publication of creative writing in the Ulster-Scots language in Northern Ireland since 1999 is detailed in the following table.
	
		
			  Amount (£) 
		
		
			 1999 — 
			 2000 — 
			 2001 — 
			 2002 6,280.00 
			 2003 — 
			 2004 (24)21,855.00 
		
	
	(24) Projected.

Electricity Tariffs

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in the application to the European Commission for clearance for a scheme to reduce electricity tariffs in Northern Ireland.

Barry Gardiner: A paper has been submitted to the European Commission outlining the Government's proposal to make an intervention aimed at bringing about a 10 per cent. decrease in electricity prices for non-domestic consumers below the level they would otherwise have been.
	It is hoped that a meeting to discuss the matter with Commission officials will be held shortly.

Government Investment

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of financial support to business from (a) the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland, (b) the Local Enterprise Development Unit and (c) Invest Northern Ireland was represented by (i) capital grants, (ii) grants for research and development, (iii) grants for training, (iv) grants for marketing, (v) loans and (vi) investment in equity in each of the last five years.

Barry Gardiner: The following table shows the percentage of financial support to business by category in each of the last five years offered by Invest NI and its predecessors. Although the question does not specifically mention the Industrial Research and Technology Unit, as this agency was responsible for providing research and development support prior to Invest NI being set up, it has also been included in the table. Information relating to training support under the Company Development Programme (CDP) as administered by the Business Support Division of DETI has also been incorporated, as this function is now included within Invest NI's remit. In all cases the figures shown relate to offers of assistance made by the organisations concerned.
	It has not been possible to provide detailed information on levels of marketing support as a marketing grant is a form of revenue grant and cannot easily be separated from other revenue grants.
	
		Percentage of Assistance Offered By Assistance Category (1999–2000 to 2003–04) -- Percentage
		
			  1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 (Provisional) 
		
		
			 Capital Grant 28 15 19 11 9 
			 Research and Development 8 9 13 29 18 
			 Training (CDP) 7 13 10 6 12 
			 Loans 0 0 2 4 3 
			 Equity 1 2 4 6 6 
			 Revenue Grant(25) 43 47 37 28 33 
			 Other Assistance(26) 13 14 15 16 19 
			 Total 100 100 100 100 100 
		
	
	(25) Revenue Grants include a range of grants such as marketing grant, employment grant, management salary grant and operating grant.
	(26) Other Assistance includes consultancy grants, incentive grants, quality grants, trade missions, business improvement services, tourism development as well as assistance to third party organisations.

Housing (Central Heating)

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what percentage of Northern Ireland Housing Executive homes have had (a) oil and (b) gas-fired central heating installed, broken down by Housing Executive District Office Area.

John Spellar: The information is as follows:
	
		
			  Oil Gas 
			 NIHE District Office Number Percentage Number Percentage 
		
		
			 Belfast 1 310 13.4 1,066 45.9 
			 Belfast 2 883 22.5 1,645 42.0 
			 Belfast 3 783 22.7 1,891 54.8 
			 Belfast 7 564 13.1 2,404 55.7 
			 Belfast 4 374 9.6 1,594 41.1 
			 Belfast 5 494 11.5 1,934 45.1 
			 Belfast 6 261 7.3 1,956 54.7 
			 Ballymena 1,164 34.9 2 0.1 
			 Antrim 815 28.3 2 0.1 
			 Newtownabbey 1 386 15.1 591 23.1 
			 Newtownabbey 2 446 18.0 726 29.4 
			 Carrickfergus 374 16.8 360 16.2 
			 Larne 319 17.8 311 17.4 
			 Ballycastle 366 38.9 0 0.0 
			 Ballymoney 873 53.8 0 0.0 
			 Coleraine 1,421 40.3 2 0.1 
			 Banbridge 710 35.8 0 0.0 
			 Newry 1,350 38.4 0 0.0 
			 Armagh 636 29.3 0 0.0 
			 Lurgan 1,449 46.8 0 0.0 
			 Portadown 595 33.5 0 0.0 
			 Dungannon 892 44.6 0 0.0 
			 Fermanagh 965 41.6 0 0.0 
			 Bangor 429 14.0 416 13.6 
			 Newtownards 997 22.7 517 11.8 
			 Castlereagh 710 16.3 592 13.6 
			 Lisburn 979 20.1 617 12.7 
			 Lisburn 
			 Dairyfarm 307 14.1 1,203 55.1 
			 Downpatrick 1,001 37.3 1 0.1 
			 Waterloo Place 908 34.8 1 0.1 
			 Waterside 995 36.6 0 0.0 
			 Collon Terrace 643 23.6 0 0.0 
			 Limavady 522 32.1 0 0.0 
			 Magherafelt 511 34.6 1 0.1 
			 Strabane 624 25.2 0 0.0 
			 Omagh 740 34.9 0 0.0 
			 Cookstown 434 36.2 0 0.0 
			 Total: 26,230 25.6 17,832 17.4

Housing (Central Heating)

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what percentage of Northern Ireland Housing Executive homes have (a) coal-fired and (b) electric and (c) no central heating, broken down by Housing Executive District Office Area.

John Spellar: The information is as follows.
	
		
			  Coal Electric None 
			 NIHE District Office Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage 
		
		
			 Belfast 1 460 19.8 443 19.1 42 1.8 
			 Belfast 2 715 18.2 665 17.0 10 0.3 
			 Belfast 3 545 15.8 211 6.1 0 0.0 
			 Belfast 7 684 15.8 620 14.4 42 1.0 
			 Belfast 4 737 19.0 1,054 27.2 110 2.8 
			 Belfast 5 1,030 24.0 538 12.6 269 6.3 
			 Belfast 6 1,033 28.9 322 9.0 6 0.2 
			 Ballymena 1,274 38.1 850 25.4 37 1.1 
			 Antrim 1,263 43.8 725 25.2 9 0.3 
			 Newtownabbey 1 564 22.0 1,013 39.5 6 0.2 
			 Newtownabbey 2 643 26.0 656 26.5 0 0.0 
			 Carrickfergus 853 38.4 635 28.6 1 0.0 
			 Larne 635 35.5 506 28.3 16 0.9 
			 Ballycastle 515 54.8 25 2.7 8 0.9 
			 Ballymoney 576 35.5 138 8.5 5 0.3 
			 Coleraine 1,329 37.7 757 21.5 3 0.1 
			 Banbridge 1,048 52.9 201 10.1 11 0.6 
			 Newry 1,719 48.9 419 11.9 1 0.0 
			 Armagh 1,230 56.7 274 12.6 15 0.7 
			 Lurgan 834 26.9 761 24.6 26 0.8 
			 Portadown 784 44.2 395 22.3 1 0.1 
			 Dungannon 889 44.5 160 8.0 14 0.7 
			 Fermanagh 1,145 49.3 201 8.7 1 0.0 
			 Bangor 1,059 34.7 1148 37.6 3 0.1 
			 Newtownards 1,878 42.7 997 22.7 2 0.0 
			 Castlereagh 912 21.0 2,130 49.0 0 0.0 
			 Lisburn 2087 42.9 1,140 23.4 38 0.8 
			 Lisburn   
			 Dairyfarm 457 20.9 184 8.4 0 0.0 
			 Downpatrick 1,196 44.6 474 17.7 5 0.2 
			 Waterloo place 1,183 45.3 465 17.8 12 0.5 
			 Waterside 1,244 45.8 452 16.6 1 0.0 
			 Collon terrace 1,478 54.3 583 21.4 20 0.7 
			 Limavady 847 52.1 224 13.8 6 0.4 
			 Magherafelt 780 52.8 142 9.6 0 0.0 
			 Strabane 1,701 68.6 83 3.3 56 2.3 
			 Omagh 1,173 55.4 183 8.6 19 0.9 
			 Cookstown 552 46.0 86 7.2 1 0.1 
			 Total: 37,052 36.2 19860 19.4 796 0.8 
		
	
	Note:
	Properties where no central heating is recorded include redevelopment properties, properties due for demolition, and properties not within the Rent Scheme.

Marching Season

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the role played by local community activists during the 2003 marching season; and what plans he has to provide support for local community activists during the 2004 marching season.

Ian Pearson: During 2003, a wide range of people in the community played an important role in easing tensions and resolving problems around parading and I am most grateful for that. In preparing for the forthcoming marching season, the Secretary of State and I intend to hold a series of meetings similar to last year, which will include all those who have the ability to help ensure that 2004 passes off as peacefully as 2003.

Marching Season

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his assessment is of the Police Service of   Northern Ireland security assessment relating to Portadown recently received by the Parades Commission; and if he will make a statement on his assessment of security over the forthcoming marching season.

Ian Pearson: The Parades Commission is independent of Government and the Secretary of State does not see PSNI advice to the Commission. There is currently no information which would suggest this marching season will be significantly different from 2003. However, with regard to the forthcoming marching season, the Secretary of State and I intend to hold a series of meetings similar to last year, which will include all those who have the ability to help ensure that 2004 passes off as peacefully as 2003.

PPP Contracts

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for   Northern Ireland whether a company which successfully bids for inclusion in an education-related public private partnership scheme retains the right (a) to put the contract on the market at any stage, (b) to sell the contract at a profit and (c) to keep the profit from the sale of the contract without a requirement to provide guarantees that the scheme will be completed to the specifications to which they initially signed up; and whether revenue generated through weekend and evening openings of buildings constructed under such a scheme is required to be invested in the school or its pupils.

Barry Gardiner: (a) A PPP contractor, which successfully bids for inclusion in an education related PPP project, may put the contract on the market at any time during the life of the contract. The prior written consent of the school authority is required and this can be withheld at its discretion.
	(b) Provided the prior written consent of the school authority has been obtained, a PPP contractor may sell a PPP contract at a profit.
	(c) A PPP contract specifies the level of service which an authority can expect to receive in return for payment of the unitary charge. If a contractor were to sell, or otherwise dispose of a PPP contract, it would retain any profit accruing and the service requirements and obligations would transfer to the new contractor. The new contractor would be expected to deliver the full range of services as if there had been no change in ownership.
	The net income from any third party usage of a school that has been procured under PPP is shared between the school authority and the contractor on the basis agreed in the contract.

Public Administration Review

David Trimble: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total cost incurred by the Review of Public Administration has been since the beginning of financial year 2001–02.

Ian Pearson: In May 2002, the Northern Ireland Executive agreed an overall budget of £3 million for the   Review of Public Administration. To date a total expenditure of £1.71 million has been incurred by the Review.

Racial Attacks

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information he has received about the extent and trend of racial attacks in Northern Ireland; what action is being taken with regard to them; and if he will make a statement.

John Spellar: The following table sets out the number of racial incidents reported to the police in Northern Ireland since 2001.
	The Government have frequently put on record their abhorrence of all forms of intolerance and racism. They are committed to eradicating such manifestations of hatred, whether based on racism or on sectarianism and are developing a co-ordinated response to the problem in Northern Ireland.
	I will shortly bring forward an Order in Council to enable courts to deal more severely with crimes motivated by racist, sectarian and homophobic hatred.
	The proposals will require sentencers to treat racial and religious aggravation as aggravating factors, where proven, when sentencing and to extend this legislation to offences motivated by hatred of sexual orientation.
	The proposals also increase maximum sentences available for certain specified, mainly violent, offences including where racial, religious or sexual aggravation is proven.
	The Community Safety Unit (CSU) is leading the development of a Hate Crime recording and monitoring system for Northern Ireland. The minority ethnic communities are represented and fully participating on the Working Group. Integral to the development of the System will be the engagement with the various minority ethnic communities to establish protective and preventive security schemes, and the carrying out of research into racially motivated crime. The CSU has provided funding to a number of counter-racism/sectarian projects under the Challenge Competition—seven at a total cost of £384,000.
	The final version of the Race Equality Strategy (which takes account of extensive consultation with all sections of NI society) will be published by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister this summer and   specific actions will be included in a detailed implementation plan developed in line with the strategy.
	These measures will send out a clear message that racism has no place in our society.
	
		Number of racial incidents reported to the police in Northern Ireland 1998–2004
		
			  Total number of racial incidents 
		
		
			 1998–99 93 
			 1999–2000 237 
			 2000–01 260 
			 2001–02 185 
			 2002–03 226 
			 2003–04 453

Republican Intelligence Operation (Stormont)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost was of personal security measures introduced for individuals following the discovery of a Republican intelligence operation at Stormont in October 2002.

Ian Pearson: Since 1 January 2000, the Government have committed £12.2 million to provide physical security measures at the homes of those whose personal details were compromised.

Residents Parking Schemes

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will provide resources to introduce pilot   residents parking permit schemes in Northern Ireland.

John Spellar: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has written to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
	Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin to Mr. Roy Beggs, dated 20 May 2004
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question asking if he will provide resources to introduce pilot residents' parking permit schemes in Northern Ireland. I have been asked to reply as the issue raised falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
	Roads Service has been examining the case for introduction of a limited number of residents' parking schemes and has identified potential pilot schemes in the south Belfast area. These pilot schemes would take at least 12 months to implement and Roads Service is willing to allocate the necessary resources. We are in discussions with the PSNI regarding enforcement.
	I hope this information is helpful.

Water Cannon Vehicles

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what date he received the request from the Irish Government for the loan of two water cannon vehicles used by the Gardai for dispersing anti-globalisation protestors on 1 May 2004; what the duration of the loan was; how many Police Service of Northern Ireland and other personnel (a) accompanied the vehicles and (b) were involved in their operation; what the cost was of the loan arrangement; and what charge has been levied upon the Irish authorities.

Ian Pearson: I am advised that on 23 March 2004 the Police Service of Northern Ireland received a written request from the Commissioner of An Garda Siochana to provide two water cannon vehicles for the period 18 April to 4 May inclusive. This was to facilitate the training of Garda officers to work in the use of water cannon and cover the period of potential protests from 1 to 3 May. The request was made direct from one police service to another and not from the Irish Government. A service level agreement was drawn up between the two services to cover this arrangement.
	I am given to understand that no PSNI officers accompanied the vehicles to the Republic of Ireland nor were PSNI officers involved in their operation in Dublin. On this occasion no charge was levied for the provision of the vehicles in the spirit of joint co-operation between An Garda Siochana and PSNI, as set out in chapter 18 of the report of the Independent Commission on policing in Northern Ireland.

Water Cannon Vehicles

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what requests for loans of water cannon vehicles have been received from the Irish authorities for days during (a) June and (b) July.

Ian Pearson: I have been advised that PSNI has received no requests from either An Garda Siochana or the Irish Government for the provision of PSNI water cannon during June or July 2004.

Water Cannon Vehicles

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what training in the use of water cannons has been provided for non-UK personnel; how many persons were trained over what period; what the cost was of training provided; and what charge has been levied upon the beneficiary states.

Ian Pearson: The Police Service of Northern Ireland has advised me that the service provided water cannon training for 21 non United Kingdom personnel. Eighteen officers from An Garda Siochana were trained in the operation of water cannons over a period of six days and three Senior Officers received training in command and control issues relating to the deployment and use of water cannon. No charge was levied for this training on the basis of furthering co-operation with other police services, as recommended in the report of the Independent Commission on policing in Northern Ireland.

Water Cannon Vehicles

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what reports have been received from the Irish authorities concerning the effectiveness and safety of water cannon weaponry on loan from the Police Service of Northern Ireland for the period covering 1 May; what weight of water was discharged; and whether any persons were injured by the use of this equipment.

Ian Pearson: I have been advised by PSNI that they have not received any written reports concerning the use of water cannon on this occasion. PSNI would therefore not have specific information such as the weight of water used or whether there were injuries resulting from the use of water cannon. However, they have indicated that An Garda Siochana contacts have advised that the water cannons were judged to be an effective tactical option.

DEFENCE

A400M

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the delivery of the A400M.

Adam Ingram: As previously stated to my hon. Friend on 5 March 2004, Official Report, column 1151W, the in-service date of the A400M (defined as acceptance into service of the seventh aircraft) is 2011. We expect delivery of the final (twenty fifth) aircraft to be in 2015.

Al Yamamah Contracts

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he met Prince Turki bin Nasser during 2000; where the meeting took place; what the purpose of the meeting was; and what was discussed.

Geoff Hoon: I met His Highness Prince Turki Bin Nasser in my office on 12 October 2000. Prince Turki introduced his successor as Head of the Al Yamamah Project within the Royal Saudi Air Force. Amongst other matters, there was also some general discussion of events in the Middle East and I was able to take the opportunity to thank Prince Turki for his work in support of the Al Yamamah programme, which has brought benefits for both nations over many years.

Al Yamamah Contracts

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he intends to conduct further internal investigations into the role of his officials in alleged corruption involving the Al Yamamah arms contracts.

Geoff Hoon: Any evidence of improper behaviour by officials will be fully investigated. This includes any evidence uncovered during the current enquiries into allegations against a retired official formerly associated with the Al Yamamah programme.

Eurofighter

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions have taken place on the possibility of selling Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft ordered for the Royal Air Force to other countries without being delivered to the RAF; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: Some consideration has been given to the   scope to provide for early export of Eurofighter Typhoon to potential overseas customers. If pursued, a sale might be accomplished by adjusting the delivery profile to the RAF. The RAF remains, however, the primary customer for these aircraft and any decision made will take full account of its requirements.

Gunnery Capability

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the saluting battery capability in the Tower of London could be provided by a regiment with no gunnery training or capability.

Adam Ingram: Only personnel with the appropriate gunnery training could provide the saluting battery capability in the Tower of London

Gunnery Capability

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what plans he has for the Gun Troops, Honourable Artillery Company;
	(2)  whether the Honourable Artillery Company will maintain a gunner role.

Adam Ingram: Plans for future Army structures continue to evolve, but there are currently no plans to change the role of the Gun Troop, Honourable Artillery Company.

Gunnery Capability

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for how long the Honourable Artillery Company has performed a gunner role.

Adam Ingram: The Honourable Artillery Company's gunner lineage dates from the early 1780s, when the City Corporation of London presented the Company with two Brass Field Pieces.

Helicopters

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Battlefield helicopters are deployed on operations; in which theatres they are deployed; and with which units they are in service.

Adam Ingram: A total of 68 Battlefield helicopters are deployed in operational areas, in Bosnia, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland and Iraq. I am withholding details of the specific units with which these assets are deployed under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information as this would give a clear indication of their operational capability.

Helicopters

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many Royal Navy (a) Merlin helicopters and (b) squadrons of Merlin helicopters are (i) fully operational and (ii) preparing to become fully operational;
	(2)  when all of the Royal Navy Merlin helicopters and squadrons are expected to be fully operational.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 21 May 2004
	The Royal Navy currently has four commissioned squadrons of Merlin helicopters. A further squadron is planned to be commissioned in October 2004. At present, all RN Merlin helicopters have been grounded as a precautionary measure pending the investigation into the crash of a Merlin helicopter on 30 March 2004. It is too early to say when flying will be resumed.

Helicopters

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the (a) budget and (b) cost of running, maintenance, training and other non capital costs was for the Royal Naval Merlin helicopter squadron in each year since the aircraft was first acquired.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 21 May 2004
	This information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

HMS Turbulent

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there are sufficient stocks of (a) foul-weather suits and (b) jumpers on board HMS Turbulent to avoid crew members coming on watch while the boat is on the surface having to wear the kit of those coming off watch.

Adam Ingram: HMS Turbulent has a full allowance of 40 sets of Mk IV Foul Weather Clothing, which is an increase of 16 over the previous scale for the Mk III Foul Weather Clothing.
	Submariner's jerseys are issued to individuals on a personal basis and ample stocks were available before HMS Turbulent deployed.

Iraq

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the Iraq Survey Group are still in the field in Iraq; how many are United Kingdom citizens; and if he will make a statement on each of the tasks carried out by the group since 1 January.

Geoff Hoon: On 13 May 2004, there were 1,270 people employed in the Iraq Survey Group of which 54 were UK citizens. The Iraq Survey Group's primary task is assessing the extent of Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction and associated programmes. The Iraq Survey Group has produced two interim reports, in October 2003 and March 2004, and a further report is expected later this year. Posted testimony for both reports can be found on the CIA website www.cia.gov.

Iraq

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 18 May, Official Report, column 873W, on Iraq, from which Vote each of the 49 British personnel serving with the Iraq Survey Group is paid; who in the United Kingdom has line management responsibility for each; to whom they report in the United Kingdom in respect of their work with the Iraq Survey Group; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend for Leyton and Wanstead (Mr. Cohen) on 12 February 2004 Official Report, column 1637W on Iraq Survey Group costs.
	Line Management responsibility for the British personnel with the Iraq Survey Group rests with the Deputy Commander Iraq Survey Group, who is a United Kingdom Officer with the rank of Brigadier.

Light Guns

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many light guns are on issue to the British Army; and to which units they have been issued;
	(2)  how many Territorial Army batteries have a full complement of the light gun;
	(3)  how many automatic positioning systems for the light gun have been issued; and to which batteries;
	(4)  how many (a) Regular and (b) Territorial Army   batteries have a full complement of automatic positioning systems allocated to their light guns; and how many are using dial sights.

Adam Ingram: 136 guns have been issued to those units designated Light Gun Units, as shown in the table.
	Three TA units, 103 Regiment, 100 Regiment and the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) are issued with guns fitted with the Automatic Pointing System. HAC have their full complement of four guns. 103 Regiment have 12 guns, but are established for 18, and therefore operate with 3x4 gun batteries. 100 Regiment have 14 guns, but are established for 18, and therefore operate with 2x5 gun batteries and 1x4 gun battery. The number of guns issued is determined by the number of Automatic Pointing Systems (APS) available. However, although 100 Regiment and 103 Regiment are short of the establishment, the compliment is considered sufficient to meet their requirements. Other TA Units, listed at Serials 14 to 17 in the table, hold Saluting Guns only. Saluting Guns do not require sights to be fitted.
	The APS has been fitted to 112 guns as shown in the table. Those guns without APS fitted are used either for classroom purposes or for saluting only. Dial sights are no longer in service.
	
		
			 Serial Unit Guns fitted with APS Guns without sights Saluting Guns 
		
		
			 1 7 Para RHA Aldershot 18 — — 
			 2 29 Cdo Regiment RA Plymouth/Arbroath 18 — — 
			 3 100 Regiment RA(V) Luton 14 — — 
			 4 103 Regiment RA(V) Liverpool 12 — — 
			 5 BF Falkland Islands 8 — — 
			 6 RSA Larkhill 18 — — 
			 7 ESTRA Larkhill 1 — — 
			 8 SEME Bordon 1 2 — 
			 9 BATSU Wainwright Canada 6 — — 
			 10 BATU Kenya 6 — — 
			 11 HAC London 4 — 4 
			 12 40 Regiment RA Topcliffe 6 — — 
			 14 104 Regiment RA(V) Cardiff — — 4 
			 15 105 Regiment RA(V) Newtownards — — 3 
			 16 105 Regiment RA(V) Edinburgh — — 6 
			 17 Royal Gibraltar Regt — — 4 
			 18 Defence Academy — 1 — 
			  Total 112 3 2

Missiles

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to arm Type-45 destroyers with (a) TacTom land attack cruise missiles and (b) the Mark 41 launcher; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: There is currently no requirement to fit Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles to Type 45 destroyers. However, should such a requirement arise, these could be fitted in the future. The Mark 41 launcher would be one option for launching these missiles.

Royal Navy Visits

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the Royal Navy's ship visits to (a) Spanish ports and (b) Gibraltar in the last 12 months.

Adam Ingram: Details of ship visits to Spanish ports in the 12 months up to 12 May 2004 are as follows:
	
		
			 Port Ship Start End 
		
		
			 Algeciras Orangeleaf 13 August 2003 14 August 2003 
			 Alicante Northumberland 2 June 2003 3 June 2003 
			   3 June 2003 5 June 2003 
			   5 June 2003 9 June 2003 
			 Barcelona Chatham 25 July 2003 29 July 2003 
			  Fort Austin 20 May 2003 23 May 2003 
			  Gloucester 28 January 2004 2 February 2004 
			  Norfolk 25 March 2004 28 March 2004 
			  Portland 29 October 2003 3 November 2003 
			  Sutherland 21 November 2003 26 November 2003 
			 Cadiz Blyth 4 March 2004 8 March 2004 
			  Campbeltown 21 February 2004 24 February 2004 
			  Sir Galahad 29 July 2003 l August 2003 
			 La Coruna Bangor 16 June 2003 17 June 2003 
			  Pembroke 10 December 2003 14 December 2003 
			  Sandown 16 June 2003 17 June 2003 
			 Las Palmas, Gran Canaria Fort George 29 November 2003 2 December 2003 
			  Fort Victoria l October 2003 5 October 2003 
			  Ocean 12 March 2004 16 March 2004 
			 Malaga Grey Rover 31 July 2003 4 August 2003 
			  Liverpool 31 July 2003 4 August 2003 
			 Mallorca Campbeltown 7 April 2004 13 April 2004 
			 Palma, Mallorca Ark Royal 29 April 2003 5 May 2003 
			  Bangor 7 June 2003 11 June 2003 
			  Campbeltown 6 May 2004 9 May 2004 
			  Northumberland 12 May 2003 14 May 2003 
			  Roebuck 30 May 2003 3 June 2003 
			  Sandown 7 June 2003 11 June 2003 
			 Rota Ark Royal 13 May 2003 13 May 2003 
			  Blyth 19 February 2004 24 February 2004 
			  Campbeltown 2 April 2004 5 April 2004 
			  Kent 9 June 2003 10 June 2003 
			   19 June 2003 20 June 2003 
			  Newcastle 25 February 2004 28 February 2004 
			   7 March 2004 8 March 2004 
			  Somerset 11 October 2003 14 October 2003 
			 Santa Cruz, Tenerife Invincible l October 2003 5 October 2003 
			 Valencia Newcastle 6 May 2004 11 May 2004 
			  Lindisfarne 18 September 2003 22 September 2003 
			 Villagarcia de Arosa Blyth 15 May 2003 17 May 2003 
			  Brocklesby 15 May 2003 17 May 2003 
		
	
	Details of ships' visits to Gibraltar in the 12 months up to 12 May 2004 are as follows:
	
		
			 Ship Start End 
		
		
			 Brambleleaf 14 November 2003 20 November 2003 
			 Campbeltown 7 October 2003 8 October 2003 
			 Chiddingfold 27 June 2003 30 June 2003 
			 Cornwall 12 July 2003 13 July 2003 
			  17 0ctober 2003 19 October 2003 
			 Cumberland 23 April 2004 24 April 2004 
			 Echo 26 January 2004 4 February 2004 
			 Edinburgh 21 May 2003 24 May 2003 
			  26 April 2004 28 April 2004 
			 Exeter 23 March 2004 24 March 2004 
			 Glasgow 2 May 2004 3 May 2004 
			 Gloucester 26 October 2003 28 October 2003 
			 Gold Rover 16 May 2003 17 May 2003 
			 Grafton 20 February 2004 20 February 2004 
			 Grey Rover 25 March 2004 27 March 2004 
			 Grimsby 24 July 2003 28 July 2003 
			 Kent 12 December 2003 15 December 2003 
			 Ledbury 24 July 2003 28 July 2003 
			 Lindisfarne 5 December 2003 10 December 2003 
			 Marlborough 3 August 2003 4 August 2003 
			  20 September 2003 22 September 2003 
			  26 September 2003 27 September 2003 
			 Newcastle 9 January 2004 9 January 2004 
			 Norfolk 19 October 2003 21 October 2003 
			 Northumberland 3 August 2003 4 August 2003 
			 Oakleaf 19 February 2004 24 February 2004 
			  12 March 2004 15 March 2004 
			 Ocean 21 May 2003 24 May 2003 
			 Orangeleaf 4 July 2003 7 July 2003 
			  25 July 2003 28 July 2003 
			  8 October 2003 8 October 2003 
			  14 October 2003 15 October 2003 
			  28 November 2003 1 December 2003 
			  12 December 2003 14 December 2003 
			 Portland 13 December 2003 13 December 2003 
			  12 March 2004 15 March 2004 
			 Ramsey 24 July 2003 28 July 2003 
			 Richmond 26 July 2003 27 July 2003 
			  29 November 2003 1 December 2003 
			  5 December 2003 5 December 2003 
			 Sabre 26 October 2003 27 October 2003 
			  12 November 2003 16 November 2003 
			  2 December 2003 7 December 2003 
			 Scimitar 16 May 2003 22 May 2003 
			 Scott 19 November 2003 24 November 2003 
			 Shoreham 24 July 2003 28 July 2003 
			 Sir Tristram 24 July 2003 28 July 2003 
			 St. Albans 14 November 2003 17 November 2003 
			 Sutherland 13 June 2003 14 June 2003 
			 Trenchant 10May 2004 15 May 2004 
			 Turbulent 9 October 2003 15 October 2003 
			 Wave Ruler 24 March 2004 25 March 2004 
			  7 April 2004 8 April 2004 
			 Westminster 5 June 2003 6 June 2003 
			  6 June 2003 7 June 2003 
			  11 June 2003 12 June 2003 
			 York 11 October 2003 13 October 2003

Territorial Army

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Territorial Army's role in the Royal Artillery.

Ivor Caplin: The Territorial Army undertakes a variety of roles in supporting the Royal Artillery, which   include Surveillance and Target Acquisition, Reinforcement, and provision of Multi Launch Rocket Systems and Javelin Air Defence capabilities.

UK Defence Industry

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what areas are considered by his Department to be key industrial capabilities which the UK defence industry must maintain.

Adam Ingram: The Government's Defence Industrial Policy, published in October 2002, is aimed at enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of the UK Defence industry, while continuing to provide the armed force with high quality equipment at best value for money. There are a very small number of capabilities which for national security reasons we place a high priority on retaining within the United Kingdom industrial base. Examples exist in the fields of nuclear technology, defence against biological, chemical and radiological warfare, and some counter-terrorist capabilities.

UN Operations

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the relationship between British Armed Forces and the Iraqi Government will be following the handover of power on 30 June 2004.

Geoff Hoon: The relationship between British Armed Forces and the Iraqi Government following the assumption of authority on 30 June will be determined primarily by the United Nations Security Council Resolution which we expect to see concluded before 30 June. We envisage that the Resolution will cover amongst other issues the mandate of the Multi-National Force currently authorised by UNSCR1511.

UN Operations

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what military role British troops will play following the handover of power in Iraq on 30 June 2004;
	(2)  what role British troops will play in the new phase of economic, military and political co-operation between the United States of America, the Coalition and the Iraqi civilian government following the handover of power on 30 June 2004.

Geoff Hoon: Following the assumption of authority by the Interim Iraqi Government on 30 June, British troops will contribute to the Multi-National Force in support of the Iraqi Government. We expect that the mandate for the Multi-National Force, which is currently authorised by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1511, will be set out in a further United Nations Security Council Resolution in due course.

UN Operations

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress of investigations in the case of Gary Bartlam of the 1st Battalion, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers; what action has been taken; and what recommendations have been made as a result.

Adam Ingram: The case involving Fusilier Gary Paul Bartlam has been referred to the Army Prosecuting Authority for consideration. I am withholding details under Exemption 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

UN Operations

John Maples: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has made to his US counterpart regarding the International Committee of the Red Cross report on the treatment by the Coalition forces of prisoners of war in Iraq.

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has made to the US Administration regarding the International Committee of the Red Cross report on the treatment by Coalition forces of prisoners of war in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: holding answer 14 May 2004
	I have had a recent discussion with Mr Rumsfeld, as part of my regular contact with him. Since before the report came to my attention the US Government has made it clear that allegations of abuse of prisoners are being rigorously investigated and that anyone found to have acted wrongly will be dealt with appropriately.

UN Operations

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at how many UK run prisons in Iraq Iraqi prisoners are being held; and where each prison is located.

Adam Ingram: The United Kingdom's only detention facility is in Shaibah.

UN Operations

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each of the weapons containing uranium used in Operation Telic.

Adam Ingram: Depleted uranium was contained in 120mm Armour Piercing CHARM 3 rounds fired by the British Challenger II tanks, during Operation Telic. Additionally, 20mm rounds used by the Royal Navy's Close-in Weapons System known as PHALANX, contain depleted uranium. These rounds were fired for calibration purposes only, prior to hostilities.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Arms Trade

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is his policy to   seek a legally binding international arms trade treaty.

Denis MacShane: The Government's objective is to work through the Transfer Controls Initiative to achieve an international agreement on transfers of small arms and light weapons.

UN Peacekeeping

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the (a) numbers, (b) efficiency and (c) effectiveness of the UN administrative staff in New York charged with planning, launching and overseeing UN peacekeeping missions; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: At the request of the United Nations General Assembly, the UN Secretary-General requested the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) to evaluate the impact of the recent restructuring of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. Their report (A/58/746) was issued on 25 March 2004, and is available on the UN website (www.un.org).
	Following the recommendations in the Brahimi report of 2000 on peacekeeping reform, an additional number of posts were agreed for the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations. The Civilian Police Division was granted the greatest increase, followed by the military division and then the civilian departments. Nearly all of the new posts are now filled. OIOS believe that the quality of personnel recruited has been satisfactory, and argue that reform has enhanced the UN's capacity to tackle complex, multidimensional peacekeeping missions.
	We have no reason to disagree with OIOS's assessment. However, in the light of the current surge in   demand for UN peacekeeping, we are closely monitoring the UN's evolving capacity to meet new and existing challenges.

UN Peacekeeping

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State forForeign and Commonwealth Affairs what recommendations his Department has made for the reform of the planning and administrative structure of  UN peacekeeping missions; when these recommendations were last revised; what response he has received from (a) UN officials and (b) officials of other member states; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: We have been at the forefront of the   push for the prompt implementation of the recommendations contained in the Brahimi report of July 2000 on peacekeeping reform. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister underlined our commitment at the Millennium Summit 2000. Under the Global Conflict Prevention Pool, run jointly by the FCO, MOD and DfID, we have developed a programme of co-operation and assistance designed to enhance the peacekeeping and peace-building capacity of the UN, and to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of countries contributing troops and civilian police to UN peacekeeping missions. In addition to bilateral work with the UN and other interested parties, the Government are working multilaterally in the UN and the EU to maintain peacekeeping reform on the international agenda. The Secretary-General's High Level Panel on threats, challenges and change, which we have welcomed, may recommend changes to the peacekeeping structures within the UN. The Panel's report will be published later this year.

World War Two Medals

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will make an exception to the rule preventing UK citizens accepting campaign medals from other countries to enable the British people who served on the Arctic convoy during World War Two to receive the Defence of the Soviet Arctic Region Medal.

Jack Straw: The Government are currently considering the possibility of an exception to the rules governing the acceptance and wearing of foreign awards, to enable British veterans who served on Arctic convoys during the Second World War to receive the Russian Defence of the Soviet Arctic Region medal.

Abdullah Ocalan

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which human rights organisations have been allowed to visit Abdullah Ocalan to see what prison conditions he is being held under; what his general state of health is; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: The Council of Europe's Committee for Prevention of Torture has regularly visited Abdullah Ocalan and published its most recent report in February 2004. There have been a number of press reports on Ocalan's health, some of which have been confirmed in our Embassy's contact with Ocalan's lawyers. We note that Ocalan has daily basic health checks from the civilian doctors who attend him. There is also a military doctor on site at all times.

Annan Plan

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for  Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what communications his Department is undertaking with the   Greek Cypriots to seek an alternative to the Annan Plan.

Denis MacShane: The Government's position continues to be one of support for the UN Secretary General's Plan. We believe that this offers the best possible basis for a settlement. Now is not the time to seek an alternative to the Annan Plan.
	We look forward to the UN Secretary General's report on his Good Offices Mission and his thinking on next steps.

Burma

Jane Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for  Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Burmese Government regarding Thet Win Aung, who is sentenced to 60 years imprisonment.

Mike O'Brien: Thet Win Aung is among a large number of political prisoners in Burma. Amnesty International estimate that there are 1,300 to 1,400, many of them prisoners of conscience.
	We have repeatedly called on the Burmese regime to release fully all political prisoners and to allow them to play an active role in national reconciliation in Burma. We shall continue to do so. Their plight was most recently raised in April's UK co-sponsored UN Commission on Human Rights resolution.

Burma

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Burmese regime over the military offensives in (a) northern Karen and (b) Karenni state; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: We have not made recent representations on this subject because contacts with the Burmese regime are irregular. However, human rights violations have been highlighted by successive highly critical UK and EU co-sponsored UN Resolutions, most recently at the UN Commission on Human Rights on 21 April 2004. This referred to the violations of human rights suffered in particular by persons belonging to ethnic minorities, women and children, especially in non-ceasefire areas and the situation of the large number of internally displaced persons as well as the flow of refugees to neighbouring countries. It emphasised the obligations of Burma under international law to pursue through dialogue and peaceful means the immediate suspension and permanent end of conflict with all ethnic groups in the country and to conclude a ceasefire agreement with the Karen National Union (KNU). The Burmese regime knows how critical we are of their Human Rights abuses.
	We are, however, encouraged by the recent verbal ceasefire agreement between the regime and the KNU and hope that this will lead to a lasting peace settlement.

Burma

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to urge the European Union to strengthen sanctions against Burma in response to the atrocities against the Karen, Karenni and Shan peoples by the Burmese military.

Mike O'Brien: The UK and its European partners follow events in Burma closely. We remain willing to support a genuine process of national reconciliation, leading to the restoration of democracy and full respect for human rights in Burma.
	We share the view of a number of international partners that the best interests of all the people of Burma continue to be served by targeted measures against those responsible for the obstruction of reform and progress, together with humanitarian support to ensure that the ordinary people of Burma do not suffer as a result of the damaging policies of their government.
	EU Foreign Ministers agreed on 26 April 2004 to maintain the Common Position on Burma for a further 12 months. We believe that this will maintain pressure on the regime. We are closely monitoring the National Convention process and stand ready to respond proportionately to future developments in Burma, positive or negative.

Burma

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to recognise the actions taken by the Burmese military against the (a) Karen, (b) Karenni and (c) Shan peoples as (i) war crimes and (ii) crimes against humanity.

Mike O'Brien: The British Government is one of the strongest critics of the Burmese regime's abuses of human rights. We are aware of a consistent pattern of serious violations over many years, particularly against the ethnic groups. These have been highlighted in successive EU co-sponsored resolutions on Burma in the   United Nations General Assembly and UK co-sponsored resolutions in the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. But we do not consider that the atrocities constitute "war crimes" and "crimes against humanity", which have specific definitions under international law. Nor does the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Burma. Professor Sergio Pinheiro, who has regular access to Burma, used these terms to describe the situation there.

Burma

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to raise the Burmese military actions against the Karen, Karenni and Shan peoples at the UN Security Council.

Mike O'Brien: We have raised our concerns about the security situation in Burma and the resulting human rights violations with our Security Council Partners. However, there is no consensus at present to bring Burma before the Security Council.
	Atrocities against ethnic groups in Burma have been   highlighted in successive EU co-sponsored UN Resolutions on Burma, most recently at the UN Commission on Human Rights on 21 April 2004.

Burma

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on relationships with the military Government in Burma; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: We have full diplomatic relations with Burma and continue to press the military regime to enter into a substantive and genuine dialogue with all political parties and ethnic groups in Burma leading to national reconciliation, democratisation and full respect for human rights. We fully respect the decision of the National League for Democracy (NLD) not to participate in the constitutional convention which opened in Rangoon on 17 May 2004 and urge the regime to reconsider the NLD's reasonable requests. We have repeatedly called on the regime to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD's Vice Chairman U Tin Oo from house arrest, to release all political prisoners, and to re-open all NLD offices in Burma.

Departmental Staff

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff were employed in the Department to work in the communications field, and what the total expenditure on communications for the Department was, broken down by (a) Government Information and Communication Service staff and (b) other staff, broken down by (i) press officers, (ii) special advisers and (iii) others, in (A) 1994–95, (B) 1996–97, (C) 1997–98 and (D) 2001–02.

Bill Rammell: Figures for staff with Government Information and Communications Service qualifications are not available prior to 2003–04 without incurring disproportionate costs.
	For details of Press Office staff between 1997 and 2002, I refer the hon. Member to the answer the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Bradshaw), gave to the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight (Mr. Turner) on 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 63W. For details of Press Office staff in 2003, I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester East (Keith Vaz) on 2 July 2003, Official Report, column 310W. For details of special advisers costs and staff numbers, I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mike O'Brien) gave to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 23 January 2003, Official Report, column 467W.
	For details of other staff in the communications field (Information Department) between 1997 and 2002, I refer the hon. Member to the answer the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Bradshaw), gave to the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight (Mr. Turner) on 10 April 2002, Official Report, column 63W.
	The salary costs of Information Directorate, including employee contributions for 2001–02 was £9.6 million of which the Press Office (News Department) was £1.1 million and Information Department was £2.3 million. For 2002–03 the figures are £4.6 million, £1.3 million and £2.2 million respectively. Figures for previous years are not readily available and obtaining them would incur disproportionate costs.

Emergency Planning

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what intra EU arrangements are in place for co-ordination between hospitals and emergency services in the event of a major civil emergency.

Denis MacShane: A community mechanism to facilitate reinforced co-operation in civil protection assistance interventions was established by a council decision of 23 October 2001 (2001/792/EC, Euroatom). The community mechanism enables a stricken nation to request all forms of civil protection assistance it requires from participating States.
	In the event of a major civil emergency the EU Commission would facilitate close co-ordination and co-operation between the stricken state and states participating in the community mechanism, through the monitoring and Information Centre (MIC) established by the council decision.

EU Constitution

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  if he will list the changes made in the text of the proposed EU Constitution since it was published by Her Majesty's Government in Cm 5897; and whether the Government (a) was consulted on and (b) approves of each change;
	(2)  whether unanimity is required for changes to the draft Constitutional Treaty;
	(3)  which EU member states have (a) submitted formal amendments to the official draft of the proposed constitution of the European Union published in August 2003 and (b) have given notice that they are likely to do so; by what dates such amendments have to be tabled prior to the meeting of the European Council on 17 to 18th June 2004; and what arrangements he is making for their consideration by Parliament.

Denis MacShane: The draft EU Constitutional Treaty proposed by the Convention on the Future of Europe has no legal status. The European Council decided in June last year that it was a good basis for starting negotiations in the Intergovernmental Conference. The Italian and subsequently Irish Presidencies of the EU have proposed changes to the EU Constititonal Treaty as drafted by the Convention, after consulting with all Member States. Their proposals (summarised in the most recent Irish papers CIG 70/04, 73/04, 75/04, 76/04 and 77/04) have been deposited in the Library of the House and are available from the Presidency website (www.eu2004.ie). They are the subject of discussion in the Intergovernmental Conference. The Government has taken part fully in these discussions. Nothing is finally agreed until everything is agreed. The EU Constitutional Treaty, like any new EU Treaty, can only be agreed by the common "accord of all Member States.

EU Constitution

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in full the Government's red lines on the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The Government's policy towards the negotiations on the EU Constitutional Treaty remains as set out in the White Paper on the Intergovernmental Conference (Cm 5934), presented to Parliament on 9 September 2003.

Honduras

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the Government of Honduras' recent crackdown on the Mara Salvatrucha street gang.

Bill Rammell: The Government of Honduras has acknowledged publicly that it has a serious problem with gang-related lawlessness. Our embassy in Guatemala, responsible for our relations with Honduras, and officials in London have been monitoring the measures taken by the Honduran Government to tackle this problem, including legislation prohibiting gang membership. Since the introduction of this new law, there has been a reported reduction in gang violence. But concern has been expressed by some NGOs and members of civil society that the new legislation, which resulted in mass   arrests of gang members and those suspected of being gang members, infringed human rights. The Government of Honduras has responded to this criticism by undertaking to provide training and rehabilitation schemes for those either in prison or wishing to leave the gangs. We have made clear to the Government of Honduras, bilaterally and in the company of our EU partners, the importance we attach to respect for human rights. I raised human rights, particularly those in respect of children, with Honduran Security Minister Oscar Alvarez, during his recent visit to the UK.

Honduras

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received concerning the fire of 17 May at the prison in San Pedro Sula in Honduras; what assessment his Department has made of conditions at (a) that prison and (b) other prisons in Honduras; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The San Pedro Sula incident has been widely reported in the UK and local media. 104 prisoners, all gang members are reported to have died and only a few injured. Our embassy in Guatemala, responsible for our relations with Honduras, is watching developments closely and the DFID representative in Tegucigalpa attended a briefing on 18 May given by the Honduran Government.
	Our non-resident ambassador, who was visiting Honduras at the time, has raised this incident with members of the Honduran Government.
	The Government of Honduras has ordered an inquiry that will include investigating claims that: prison wardens refused to open cell doors; the fire services arrived late: and the fire was started by wardens.
	We have made no specific assessment of the conditions at the San Pedro Sula Prison or that of other prisons in Honduras but we are aware of the problem of serious overcrowding. We continue to discuss human rights concerns with the Honduran authorities, particularly those relating to children.

Iraq

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the costs deducted from oil revenues by (a) the Coalition Provisional Authority, (b) Iraqi Government institutions and (c) other parties before the oil receipts are deposited in the Development Fund for Iraq accounts; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1483 of 22 May 2003 decided that all proceeds from the export sale of Iraq's oil should be deposited into the Development Fund for Iraq (DFI). The only exception to this is that 5 per cent. of proceeds from oil should be deposited into the United Nations Compensation Fund for Kuwait established in accordance with UNSCR 687 of 1991 and subsequent relevant resolutions. As outlined in UNSCR 1483, this latter requirement will be binding on an internationally recognised sovereign government of Iraq unless that government and the Governing Council of the United Nations Compensation Commission decide otherwise. Neither the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA), Iraqi Government institutions, nor any other parties deduct costs from oil revenues. The CPA meets its own costs from coalition funding, and Iraqi Government Departments and agencies are funded through the Iraqi budget.

Iraq

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of the UN Oil for Food programme in Iraq.

Bill Rammell: Figures from the World Health Organisation (WHO), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the UN, confirm that the Oil for Food programme (OFF):
	reduced the incidence of chronic malnutrition in children under five from 32 per cent. in 1996 to 25 per cent. in 2002 (WHO);
	reduced the mortality rate of children under five in northern Iraq from 80 per 1,000 in 1989 (i.e. before UN sanctions were imposed) to 72 in 1999 (UNICEF);
	increased the Iraqi ration (first introduced during the Iran-Iraq war) from 1,300 kCal to 2,215 kCal per day (UN); and
	reduced the incidence of tuberculosis from 78.5 cases per 100,000 in 1989 (i.e. before UN sanctions were imposed) to 43.3 cases per 100,000 in 2001 (UN).

Iraq

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has seen the list of names discovered by the Iraqi Governing Council in respect of the UN Oil for Food programme in Iraq.

Bill Rammell: The Government have received copies of documents alleging corruption in the Oil for Food programme. These documents include a list of names. The documents have been passed to the appropriate investigative authority.

Iraq

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action his Department has taken in respect of the Iraqi Governing Council's demand for an inquiry into the UN Oil for Food programme in Iraq.

Bill Rammell: The UK supports both the UN and Iraqi inquiries into the allegations of corruption of the Oil for Food programme. The Secretary of State forInternational Development and Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials met Paul Volcker, head of the independent UN inquiry, on 6 and 7 May. Ernst and Young have won the contract to carry out the Iraqi investigation on behalf of the Iraqi Board of Supreme Audit. We will co-operate fully with both investigations.

Iraq

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for   Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department first received (a) representations on and (b) reports of concerns about the conduct of the UN Oil for Food programme in Iraq.

Bill Rammell: Over the life of the Oil for Food programme, we and other UN member states became aware of attempts to breach the Iraq sanctions regime. The Government took action in response in a range of ways according to the circumstances. These included approaches to other Governments and the UN Secretariat, and action through the United Nations Security Council to counter attempted corruption.

Iraq

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the number of (a) countries and (b) individuals involved in alleged corrupt practices in the UN oil-for-food programme in Iraq.

Bill Rammell: The Government have received copies of documents alleging corruption in the oil-for-food programme. These documents include a list of names. The documents have been passed to the appropriate investigative authority.

Middle East

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to discuss suspension of the EU/Israeli trade agreement with his partners in the EU.

Denis MacShane: The Government do not believe that suspension of the EU/Israel Association Agreement would bring the parties any nearer to a peaceful resolution of their differences.

Middle East

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of Israel's compliance with the human rights clauses in the EU/Israeli trade agreement.

Denis MacShane: Along with our EU partners, we have followed a policy of constructive engagement with Israel on humanitarian and human rights issues. We have raised our concerns on human rights violations both bilaterally, most recently with Prime Minister Sharon's advisers on 18 May, and through the institutions established by the EU/Israel Association Agreement. In this respect, at the last EU/Israel Association Council in November 2003, the EU called on Israel to abstain from any punitive measures that are not in accordance with international law.

Russian Nuclear Submarines

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has held with the Russian Government on the decommissioning of Russian nuclear submarines; and what estimate has been made of the number of such submarines.

Bill Rammell: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is responsible for the UK's programme of assistance to Russia for the dismantling of nuclear submarines. The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the DTI, my hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh, South (Nigel Griffiths) visited Russia in February, this year to view the progress of the UK programme.
	Currently, two Oscar-1 class submarines are being dismantled as part of this programme at a shipyard near Archangel and discussions are underway for further projects. The Russian Government has informed us that there are approximately 60 decommissioned nuclear submarines in North West Russia awaiting dismantling and a further 30 in the Russian Far East.
	Co-operation in this area continues to feature in regular bilateral discussions between officials. Further detail on the UK's programme of support for the G8 Global Partnership against weapons and materials of mass destruction can be found in the Department for Trade and Industry's First Annual Report on the Former Soviet Union Nuclear Legacy Programme at http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/nuclear/fsu/news/Firstannual   report.pdf.

Sudan

John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the British Government voted in favour of Sudan becoming a member of the UN Human Rights Commission; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 20 May 2004
	Sudan's membership of the UN Commission on Human Rights was agreed by the African Group, who put them forward as part of an agreed regional nomination. There was, therefore, no vote on the matter. The Government believe members of the Commission on Human Rights should meet certain minimum standards of behaviour regarding the implementation of human rights in their own countries. We are working with others to identify ways to improve the quality of membership.

UN Civilian Police

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK citizens are serving as civilian police for the UN; what operations they are involved with; where they are stationed; and how many were serving in each of the last seven years.

Bill Rammell: A total of 127 UK citizens (serving and retired police officers) are currently serving as civilian police in UN peacekeeping missions. Four are serving in UNMISET (East Timor), 113 in UNMIK (Kosovo) and 10 in UNAMSIL (Sierra Leone).
	The following table sets out the average numbers of UK police officers who served in UN missions in each year from 2001–03. This information can also be accessed through the UN peacekeeping website: http://www.un.org/Depts/dpko/dpko/contributors/)
	Figures before April 2001 are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate costs.
	
		
			  UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (1999-May 2002)  UN Mission of Support in East Timor (established May 2002) UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (established 1999)  UN Mission in Sierra Leone (established 1999)  UN Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1995–2002) 
		
		
			 2003 0 9 116 6 0 
			   (range 0–10) (range 79–1 33) (range 5–10)  
			   
			 2002 7 7 158 0 60 
			  (range 0–15) (range 0–12) (range 135–166)  (range 0–76) 
			   
			 2001 (Figures from 14 0 142 0 77 
			 April-December only) (range 13–15)  (range 135–168)  (range 76–80)

Victor Bout

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has held with the (a) US authorities, (b) French authorities and (c) UN about Victor Bout.

Bill Rammell: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has, over many years, had many discussions with international partners including the US and France, bilaterally and in the United Nations about Victor Bout. The UK has supported international efforts to end Bout's illegal activities. For example, we co-sponsored Security Council Resolution 1521 (2003) on Liberia, which imposed a travel ban on him. UK Ministers have publicly welcomed action taken against his sanctions-busting activities.

PRIME MINISTER

Correspondence

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Prime Minister when he will reply to the letter of 19 April from the hon. Member for Richmond Park.

Tony Blair: I have replied to the hon. Member today.

India

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the Indian Congress Party's electoral win.

Tony Blair: I have spoken and written to the new Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, to congratulate him on his appointment. We have strong relations with India and look forward to developing them further with the incoming Government.

Iraq

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 12 May 2004, Official Report, column 385W, on Iraq, what inquiries are made by the   Coalition Provisional Authority into methods employed by Coalition forces in gathering information important to the CPA's aim.

Tony Blair: None. Under the Geneva Conventions, responsibility for the methods employed by Coalition forces in gathering information lies with the states supplying the military forces concerned.

Iraq

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Prime Minister if he will instruct the British representative of the Coalition Provisional Authority to require the Coalition forces to conduct an inquiry into the attack upon Mukaradeeb in western Iraq in which it is reported 40 civilians were killed.

Tony Blair: The attack referred to in Mukaradeeb involved US forces. We understand that   the US authorities are undertaking a formal investigation.

Iraq

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Prime Minister if he will institute a debate in Government time before 30 June, on the situation in Iraq.

Tony Blair: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House gave to the hon. Member for North-East Hertfordshire (Mr. Heald) at business questions on 13 May 2004, Official Report, column 473.

Secondments

Bob Spink: To ask the Prime Minister how many staff   in his Office were seconded from the (a) private and (b) academic sector in each of the last three years.

Tony Blair: There were no secondments to my Office from the private or academic sectors in 2001 and 2002. In 2003, one member of staff was seconded to my Office from the academic sector.

Tibet

Harry Cohen: To ask the Prime Minister if he will   make a statement on discussions he had on Tibet with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and other Chinese official representatives during their recent visit to the UK.

Tony Blair: I discussed a wide range of issues with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, including the issue of Tibet. The Government support another visit to China by representatives of the Dalai Lama and believe a peaceful resolution is best achieved through meaningful dialogue without pre-conditions.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Child Maintenance Payments

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much child maintenance has not been paid in each of the last 10 years; and how much of this is due to one of the parents moving (a) abroad and (b) to another EU member state.

Chris Pond: I have been asked to reply. 
	The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested.
	Letter from Doug Smith to Mr. Barry Sheerman, dated 24 May 2004
	In replying to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much child maintenance has not been paid in each of the last 10 years; and how much of this is due to one of the parents moving (a) abroad and (b) to another EU member state.
	As at 31 March 2003 the reported cumulative debt figure on full maintenance assessments was £664 million (page 86 para 6.1 of the Child Support Agency Annual Report and Accounts 2002/03.) I have no information to determine how much of this is due to parents residing either abroad or in the EU.

Fine Enforcement

John McDonnell: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many persons were fined by magistrates courts in England and   Wales in each of the last three financial years; and what percentage of the fines were collected in each year.

Christopher Leslie: Information on the number of offenders is not available from magistrates courts systems. The latest Home Office statistics available, for the 2002 calendar year, showed that 970,400 offenders were fined by magistrates courts.
	A national payment rate of 76 per cent. was achieved in the last quarter of 2003–04. The full year outturn stood at 74 per cent. The payment rate in 2001–02 was 59 per cent. and 55 per cent. in 2002–03. These figures are not comparable with the 2003–04 data due to collection and calculation changes. In 2003–04 the payment rate was revised so that it focused clearly on fines and excluded confiscation orders, civil and family moneys and cancelled fines.

Public Bodies

Paul Tyler: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many staff are employed by (a) the Public Guardianship Office, (b) the Civil Justice Council, (c) the Strategic Investment Board, (d) the Information Tribunal, (e) the Advisory Group on Implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, (f) the Advisory Group on the Delivery of Enforcement Services, (g) the Review of Procedures Consequent on the Decision to Transfer or Commit Fraud Trials and (h) the Office of the Public Trustee; and what their annual budgets are in 2004–05.

David Lammy: The information requested is set out in the following table.
	
		
			   Number of staff employed Annual budgets in 2004–05 (£ million) 
		
		
			 (a) Public Guardianship Office 291 5.081 
			 (b) The Civil Justice Council 4 0.214 
			 (c) The Strategic Investment Board 0 0.13 
			 (d) The Information Tribunal 0 0.6 
			 (e) The Advisory Group on Implementation of the Freedom of Information Act — — 
			 (f) The Advisory Group on the Delivery of Enforcement Services — — 
			 (g) The Review of Procedures Consequent on the Decision to Transfer or Commit Fraud Trials — — 
			 (h) The Office of the Public Trustee 58 1.7 
			  Total 353 7.725 
		
	
	The Strategic Investment Board does not employ staff as such. It has a Chairman and five Appointed Members (one vacancy at present) who are all non-executive, but in receipt of fees. Both the Information Tribunal and the Advisory Group on Implementation of the Freedom of Information Act do not directly employ any staff. The Advisory Group on the Delivery of Enforcement Services was formally dissolved during the last financial year. The Review of Procedures Consequent on the Decision to Transfer or Commit Fraud Trials ceased to exist about eight years ago.

Unified Court Boundaries

John McDonnell: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the unified court boundaries to be introduced next year will be coterminous with (a) probation and (b) prison service boundaries.

Christopher Leslie: The unified courts agency will be established in April 2005 and will have 42 local management areas. These areas will directly align with the local boundaries of the National Probation Service. Her Majesty's Prison Service has a 12-region structure that is coterminous with the boundaries of the 42 management areas.
	The local management areas of the unified courts agency will be contained within seven regions. The boundaries of these regions are coterminous with the regional Prison Service boundaries with the exception of Cheshire and Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, which for the way court business is currently organised, will link with Wales and the South West respectively. The Government will review this position in 2006–07.
	The Government announced in January 2004 the creation of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), which will oversee the management of probation and public sector prisons. The proposed structure of the NOMS is still being considered.

HEALTH

Ambulance Services

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether there is a national standard for clinical performance in ambulance services.

Rosie Winterton: Ambulance services have been set response time targets by the Government that include the target that, immediately life-threatening emergency calls (Category A) should be responded to 75 per cent. of the time within eight minutes, irrespective of location.
	The national service framework (NSF) for coronary heart disease emphasises the importance of ambulance services providing advanced life support to patients with suspected heart attack or cardiac arrest, within eight minutes, to maximise the benefits of resuscitation should it be necessary.
	The latest information about ambulance performance is contained in the Department of Health Statistical Bulletin, "Ambulance Services, England 2002–03". A copy of the bulletin is available in the Library and on the Department's website at www.publications.doh.gov.uk/public/sb0313.htm.

Asthma

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in (a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley suffer from asthma.

Melanie Johnson: The information is not available in the format requested.
	In 2002–03, there were 1,549 finished admission episodes with a primary diagnosis of asthma for Lancashire area, of which 286 were for the area covered by Chorley and South Ribble Primary Care Trust.
	Notes:
	1. A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. 2. The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 2002–03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital. 3. Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed)
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health.

Asylum Seekers

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether a failed asylum seeker is entitled to free NHS prophylactic bronchodilators from a general practitioner;
	(2)  how a doctor who has treated a failed asylum seeker may demonstrate to a funding primary care trust   that the person's treatment was immediately necessary;
	(3)  which ailments will entitle failed asylum seekers requiring NHS treatment to free treatment in (a) primary care and (b) secondary care.

John Hutton: Each primary care trust (PCT) has a duty to meet all reasonable requirements to provide or secure national health service primary medical services in its area. For their part, general practitioner practices have discretion to accept a failed asylum seeker as a registered NHS patient. However, since the NHS is intended for those living lawfully in the United Kingdom, existing guidance discourages GP practices from accepting failed asylum seekers as patients.
	On 14 May, I issued a consultation document setting out proposals to clarify eligibility and introduce charges for those overseas visitors, including failed asylum seekers, who would then be ineligible for free routine NHS primary medical treatment.
	Under these proposals, practices would continue to be required to provide treatment, including potentially for asthma, which they regard as emergency or immediately necessary to anyone who needs it. Where a practice provides such treatment to an individual not registered at the practice, it notifies the PCT in writing of the clinical care given.
	In secondary care, if an asylum seeker has been in the UK for more than 12 months when their asylum claim is finally rejected, any course of treatment already under way at the time of the final rejection remains free of charge. Furthermore, certain secondary care services are exempt from charges for everyone, irrespective of their immigration status. This includes treatment provided solely in an accident and emergency department, treatment of certain specified communicable diseases and compulsory mental health treatment. In the case of services which relate to HIV/AIDS only the initial test and counselling is free. Influenza immunisations are given to those who are in at risk categories. These categories include anyone over six months with respiratory disease (including asthma), chronic heart disease, renal disease, diabetes and immunosuppressant or staying or living in long stay facilities, or who at the GP's discretion needs to have a flu jab on the basis of clinical need.

Blood Transfusion Service (Edgware Hospital)

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress concerning the relocation of the blood transfusion service at Edgware hospital.

John Hutton: I understand arrangements are in place between Barnet Primary Care Trust and the National Blood Service to relocate the blood transfusion clinic on the Edgware Site in June 2004.

Breastfeeding

Julia Drown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission an economic analysis of the benefits of breastfeeding to (a) the NHS and (b) the UK economy.

Melanie Johnson: The Department remains fully committed to promoting breastfeeding but has no current plans to commission an economic analysis its benefits.

Breastfeeding

Julia Drown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make recommendations in support of World Health Organisation findings that infants should continue to be breastfed up to two years of age and beyond.

Melanie Johnson: The Government support the World Health Organisation's global recommendation that infants should continue to breastfed up to two years of age. The Department recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, then continuing breastfeeding with appropriate types and amounts of weaning foods until the end of the first year of life or longer.

Cardiac Deaths

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many sudden cardiac deaths there were in each of the last five years, broken down by age range; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mrs. Iris Robinson, dated 24 May 2004
	  The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many sudden cardiac deaths there were in each of the last five years broken down by age range. I am replying in his absence. (175164)
	It is not possible to give an exact number of cardiac deaths which occurred suddenly, as information on whether or not a death was sudden is not currently recorded at death registration. We have therefore provided figures for all heart diseases, sudden cardiac death (so described), acute ischaemic heart disease and cardiac arrhythmias.
	The latest year for which data are available is 2002. Figures are shown in the attached table for each year from 1998 to 2002.
	
		Number of deaths from (a) all heart diseases, (b) sudden cardiac death, so described, (c) acute ischaemic heart disease and (d)cardiac arrhythmias(27), by age -- England and Wales, 1998 to 20022
		
			 Cause of  Age 
			 death 0–14 15–44 45–64 65–84 85+ 
		
		
			 (a) All heart diseases   
			 1998 101 1,775 17,332 86,487 41,719 
			 1999 104 1,748 16,470 82,090 41,169 
			 2000 89 1,702 15,756 76,195 39,822 
			 2001(29) 96 1,680 14,952 73,047 40,906 
			 2002(29) 81 1,712 14,355 70,775 41,194 
			   
			 (b) Sudden cardiac death, so described 
			 1998 (30)— (30)— (30)— (30)— (30)— 
			 1999 (30)— (30)— (30)— (30)— (30)— 
			 2000 (30)— (30)— (30)— (30)— (30)— 
			 2001(29) 0 6 4 1 1 
			 2002(29) 0 4 1 5 0 
			   
			 (c) Acute ischaemic heart disease 
			 1998 4 621 8,017 38,395 13,597 
			 1999 3 579 7,435 34,899 12,917 
			 2000 1 555 6,694 31,470 12,292 
			 2001(29) 4 552 6,184 28,879 11,306 
			 2002(29) 1 553 5,928 27,875 11,453 
			   
			 (d) Cardiac arrhythmias 
			 1998 13 46 99 1,526 1,405 
			 1999 6 49 110 1,528 1,546 
			 2000 5 50 133 1,409 1,554 
			 2001(29) 10 50 84 1,348 1,625 
			 2002(29) 5 40 75 1,365 1,764 
		
	
	(27) The cause of death was defined using the ICD-9 for the years 1998 to 2000, and ICD-10 for 2001 and 2002. The codes used are listed below:
	  All heart diseases ICD-10 120–151, ICD-9 410–429
	  Sudden cardiac death, so described ICD-10 I46.1, ICD-9 no equivalent code
	  Acute ischaemic heart disease ICD-10 121, 124, ICD-9 410–411
	  Cardiac arrhythmias ICD-10 144–149, ICD-9 426–427.
	(28) Figures are based on deaths occurring in each calendar year.
	(29) The introduction of ICD-10 for coding cause of death in 2001 means that data for heart diseases are not completely comparable between ICD-9 and ICD-10. In particular there is no equivalent code for I46.1—Sudden cardiac death (so described). Any sudden changes in the above figures in 2001 should therefore be interpreted with caution. An article describing the changes to circulatory diseases in more detail is due to be published in Health Statistics Quarterly on May 27. (Griffiths C, Brock A and Rooney C (2004) The effect of the introduction of ICD-10 on mortality from circulatory diseases in England and Wales. Health Statistics Quarterly 22, in press.
	(30) Figures only available from 2001, after the introduction of the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) for coding cause of death.

Community Care (Ribble Valley)

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have received care packages to enable them to stay in their homes in the Ribble Valley in each of the last five years.

Stephen Ladyman: The table shows the number of clients aged 18 and over who received community based services following a community care assessment in Lancashire councils with social services responsibilities for the years 2000–01 to 2002–03. Data for previous years are not available.
	Information on the number of clients who received community based services in the Ribble Valley is not centrally available.
	
		Number of clients receiving community based services(31) in Lancashire, 2000–01 to 2002–03
		
			  Lancashire 
		
		
			 2000–01(32) 35,100 
			 2001–02 28,200 
			 2002–03 29,400 
		
	
	(31) Community based services include services such as day care, meals, respite care, direct payments, professional support, transport and equipment as well as home care.
	(32) Care should be taken when comparing data across the years, as levels of completion and quality may have changed.
	Source:
	RAP form P1.

Advisers/Consultants

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many consultants had signed the new consultant contract by the end of April.

John Hutton: Data collected on the take up of the consultant contract as at 30 April 2004 shows that nearly two thirds of those consultants who had expressed an interest before 31 October 2003 in moving onto the new contract had either moved onto the new contract or received a final job plan offer.

Advisers/Consultants

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on external consultants and advisers in each of the last three years;

Rosie Winterton: The expenditure by the Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies is shown in the table.
	All those units that could provide details without incurring disproportionate costs have been included.
	
		
			  Total (£) 
		
		
			 2001–02 9,078,407 
			 2002–03 10,508,410 
			 2002–04 13,153,386

Dentistry

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of (a) adults and (b) children in the United Kingdom were registered with a NHS dentist at the end of February.

Rosie Winterton: At the end of February 2004, 44.3 per cent. of adults and 60.7 per cent. of children in the United Kingdom were registered with a general dental service (GDS) dentist.
	However, patients do not necessarily have to be registered with a dentist to receive national health service treatment. The community dental service, personal dental service, the salaried service of the GDS and the hospital dental service are all services which do not require the patient to be registered with a dentist before treatment.

Dentistry

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists per 10,000 population there are in England.

Rosie Winterton: There are 4.7 dentists per 10,000 of the population in England.

Dentistry

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists in England are accepting new adult patients to be treated on the NHS; and what the equivalent number was 10 years ago.

Rosie Winterton: On 17 May, 2,716 surgeries in England were registering new charge paying adults to be treated on the national health service; 3,049 surgeries were registering new charge exempt adults to be treated on the NHS and 1,583 surgeries were offering occasional treatment to non-registered patients. Personal dental services pilots, including dental access centres, provide NHS dental care to patients without registration.
	Comparable information is not available for 10 years ago.

Dentistry

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists are practising in (a) Lincolnshire and (b) England.

Rosie Winterton: The number of national health service dentists practising in both Lincolnshire and England as a whole as at 30 September 2003 is shown in the table.
	
		
			  England Lincolnshire 
		
		
			 General dental service (GDS) 18,536 243 
			 Personal dental services 802 13 
			 Community dental services 1,518 10 
			 Hospital dental services 2,245 36 
			 Salaried service of GDS 128 1 
			 Total 23,229 303

Dentistry

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many registered dentists in Lincolnshire are accepting new adult patients to be treated on the NHS.

Stephen Ladyman: There are four primary care trusts (PCTs) in the Lincolnshire area: North East Lincolnshire PCT, West Lincolnshire PCT, Lincolnshire South-West Teaching PCT and North Lincolnshire PCT.
	Information on the number of dental surgeries accepting new national health service patients in these PCT areas, as at 17 May 2004, is shown in the table.
	
		Dental surgeries in Lincolnshire accepting new NHS patients by type of patient
		
			 PCT Charge paying adults Charge exempt adults Occasional non-registered patients 
		
		
			 North East Lincolnshire — — 1 
			 West Lincolnshire 1 — — 
			 Lincolnshire South West Teaching 1 2 — 
			 North Lincolnshire 1 — — 
		
	
	Source:
	www.nhs.uk.

Dentistry

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average number of patients on an NHS   dental surgery list was in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: The information in the table shows the number of registered patients, number of general dental service (GDS) principals and the average dentist list size at September each year between 1999 to 2003.
	Registrations cover patients seen in the last 15 months who are registered with the dentist. Many people choose not to register with a GDS dentist and only visit the dentist when they require treatment.
	
		GDS: Average dentist list size at September each year in England
		
			  Number of patients registered per million Number of GDS principals Average list size 
		
		
			 1999 23.47 16,089 1,459 
			 2000 23.66 16,276 1,454 
			 2001 23.58 16,451 1,433 
			 2002 23.47 1 6,445 1,427 
			 2003 23.32 1 6,648 1,401

Dentistry

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times on average an NHS dental patient visited an NHS dentist in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: The information is not collected in the requested format.
	The total number of courses of treatment for adults in the general dental service has risen from 25.9 million in 1999–2000 to 26.6 million in 2003–04.
	
		£ million
		
			  Period Adult courses of treatment in GDS—England 
		
		
			 1996–97 24.6 
			 1997–98 25.3 
			 1998–99 26.2 
			 1999–2000 25.9 
			 2000–01 26.4 
			 2001–02 26.3 
			 2002–03 26.3 
			 2003–04 26.6

Dentistry

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for   Health how many people joined private practice dental surgeries in 2003–04 in (a) Worthing and (b) England.

Rosie Winterton: Information on the number of people joining private dental surgeries is not collected centrally. The Office of Fair Trading report, "The Private Dentistry Market in the UK", published in 2003, stated that some 210 practices are totally private in the United Kingdom out of 11,000 practices in total. This equates to less than two per cent..

Dermatology

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to encourage more practice nurses to undertake dermatology training.

John Hutton: This is a matter for the national health service locally. Post registration training for NHS staff is determined against local NHS priorities, through appraisal processes and training needs analyses. Training needs analyses are informed by local delivery plans and the needs of the service.
	The Department published an "Action on Dermatology" good practice guide in January 2003, drawing on the experiences of 15 Action on Dermatology pilot sites. The guide suggested the development of a structure of specialist clinics, as well as a comprehensive nurse-led service.

Dermatology

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the impact on waiting times for secondary dermatology care is of treating actinic keratosis in secondary rather than primary care.

John Hutton: The information requested is not collected centrally. No assessments have been made of the impact of waiting times based on the setting where a treatment is provided.

Doctor Vacancies

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctor vacancies there were in (a) North West London Hospitals NHS Trust, (b) Brent Primary Care Trust and (c) each strategic health authority in England in each year since 1997; and what the average figures for strategic health authorities in (i) London and (ii) England were in each year.

John Hutton: The Department's doctor vacancy survey started in 1999. It collects all hospital and community health service three-month vacancies, excluding the house officer, senior house officer and registrar staff groups.
	The Department's annual general practitioner (GP) recruitment and retention vacancy survey started in 2000. This is a count of all GP vacancies that have occurred during each year. It will include existing posts that doctors have left and also new posts created to increase the workforce, even where they were filled very quickly.
	The average doctor three-month vacancy rate and number for strategic health authorities (SHAs) in London and England since 1999 has been placed in the Library. Data are provided from 2000 for North West London Hospitals National Health Service Trust. Data are not collected for the Brent Primary Care Trust (PCT) area.
	The number of GP vacancies in Brent PCT for the year April 2002 to March 2003, the first year data was collected at PCT level, was 16. The number of GP vacancies for each SHA since 2000 has been placed in the Library.

Drug Treatment (Manchester)

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in Manchester, Central are receiving drug treatment.

Melanie Johnson: In 2000–01, there were 3,652 people receiving drug treatment in Manchester. This is the latest available data. Data broken down by drug action team for 2001–02 and 2002–03 has not yet been finalised and published.

Eating Disorders

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are on a waiting list to receive treatment at each of the specialist eating disorders units; and what the average waiting time to receive treatment is.

Rosie Winterton: Information is not available in the requested format.
	The finished admission episodes, mean and median time waited in days for treatment for eating disorders on the national health service are shown in the table.
	
		Primary diagnosis (ICD-10 F50) eating disorders. Method of admission—elective (waiting list and booked) cases. Count of finished admission episodes, mean and median time waited—NHS hospitals, England 2002–03
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Mean time waited 38 days 
			 Median time waited 8 days 
			 Count of finished admission episodes 226 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.
	2. The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 2002–03) diagnosis fields in the hospital episodes statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.
	3. Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (ie the data are ungrossed).
	4. Time waited statistics from HES are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. HES provides counts and time waited for all patients admitted to hospital within a given period whereas the published waiting list statistics count those waiting for treatment on a specific date and how long they have been on the waiting list. Also, HES calculates the time waited as the difference between the admission and decision to admit dates. Unlike published waiting list statistics, this is not adjusted for self-deferrals or periods of medical/social suspension.
	Source:
	HES, Department of Health.

Eating Disorders

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in the UK have been admitted as inpatients for the treatment of eating disorders in each of the last five years; and how many of these in-patients were admitted to general psychiatric wards.

Rosie Winterton: Information is not available in the requested format.
	The number of finished admission episodes in national health service hospitals with a primary diagnosis of eating disorder in each of the last five years is shown in the table.
	
		Finished admission episodes, NHS hospitals in England, 1998–99 to 2002–03
		
			  Anorexia nervosa Bulimia nervosa 
		
		
			 1998–99 1,022 170 
			 1999–2000 1,148 137 
			 2000–01 1,061 136 
			 2001–02 1,139 137 
			 2002–03 1,156 123 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.
	2. These figures do not represent all people with an eating disorder, as many do not require admission to hospital.
	3. The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 2002–03) diagnosis fields in the hospital episode statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.
	4. Diagnostic criteria for Anorexia nervosa is based on ICD-10 (F50.0 and F50.1); Bulimia nervosa is based on ICD-10 (F50.2 and F50.3).
	5. Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (ie the data are ungrossed).
	Source:
	HES, Department of Health.

Eating Disorders

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been diagnosed as suffering from (a) Anorexia nervosa and (b) Bulimia nervosa, in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: Information is not available in the requested format.
	The number of finished consultant episodes in national health service hospitals with a primary diagnosis of eating disorder in each of the last five years is shown in the table.
	
		Finished consultant episodes, NHS hospitals in England, 1998–99 to 2002–03
		
			  Anorexia nervosa Bulimia nervosa 
		
		
			 1998–99 1,157 189 
			 1999–2000 1,264 157 
			 2000–01 1,193 151 
			 2001–02 1,273 160 
			 2002–03 1,315 131 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Finished consultant episodes—a count of the number of hospital episode statistics (HES) records submitted on behalf of English national health service hospital providers that relate to episodes of in-patient care which ended during the HES year. These figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year.
	2. The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 2002–03) diagnosis fields in the HES data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.
	3. Diagnostic criteria for Anorexia nervosa is based on ICD-10 (F50.0 and F50.1); Bulimia nervosa is based on ICD-10 (F50.2 and F50.3).
	4. Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (ie the data are ungrossed).
	Source:
	HES, Department of Health.

Emergency Planning

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how closely co-ordinated health authorities are with those bodies that would provide airlift relief in the event of a serious emergency.

John Hutton: In addition to its own helicopter air ambulances, the National Health Service has long-standing arrangements to seek additional support, if required, from the armed forces. Further support is available, as and when required, through arrangements made at the local level.

Emergency Planning

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how well advanced Government plans are for the co-ordination of NHS casualty units and co-ordination between hospitals in the event of a serious emergency.

John Hutton: National health service organisations have well developed major incident plans, including mutual aid, and national guidance to NHS organisations requires that all major incident plans be reviewed and tested on a regular basis. The NHS has been conducting major incident training exercises for many years, often in conjunction with local emergency partners.
	Initially, the ambulance service will co-ordinate the NHS response; deploy vehicles to the scene; and put hospitals on stand-by to take casualties. If the incident continues, local health services will take on further co-ordination of the response.
	The NHS is an integral part of the integrated approach across government to protect the public and maintain essential services.

Departmental Staff

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of his Department's staff work in each of the English Government Office regions.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested can be found in Table D (page 40–41) in the publication, "Civil Service Statistics 2002". This is the latest published information available. Copies are available in the Library and also at www.civil-service.gov.uk/statistics/css.

Epsom and St. Helier Trust

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what study has been carried out by the East Elmbridge and Mid-Surrey Primary Care Trust on the   viability of demerging the Epsom and St. Helier Trust.

John Hutton: The South West London and Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authorities advise me that there are currently no plans to demerge Epsom and St. Helier University Hospitals National Health Service Trust.

Epsom and St. Helier Trust

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the representation by East Elmbridge and Mid-Surrey Primary Care Trust to the Chief Executive of the South West London Strategic Health Authority during the recent arbitration hearing about the possibility of demerging the Epsom and St. Helier NHS Trust.

John Hutton: No plans exist within Epsom and St. Helier National Health Service Trust or South West London Strategic Health Authority for the demerger of Epsom and St. Helier. East Elmbridge and Mid-Surrey Primary Care Trust raised the matter during an arbitration hearing, but it has not been explored further.

Epsom and St. Helier Trust

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes would be required to maintain accident and emergency services at Epsom hospital following a demerger of the Epsom and St. Helier NHS Trust.

John Hutton: This is a matter for the local national health service. Epsom and St. Helier NHS Trust has not undertaken any detailed studies on the effect of demerger of Epsom and St. Helier hospitals.

Epsom and St. Helier Trust

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what capital charges are payable on the Epsom hospital site.

John Hutton: The total capital charges for Epsom Hospital for 2003–04 were £3.295 million.

Foundation Hospitals

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many places on the boards of governors of the first wave of foundation hospitals which (a) are vacant and (b) were filled unopposed.

John Hutton: This is a matter for the office of the independent regulator of National Health Service foundation trusts. The chairman will write to the hon. Member and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

GP Contracts

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health   what plans he has to introduce quality measures for dermatology into the general practitioner contract.

John Hutton: Changes to the quality and outcomes framework (QOF) of the new general medical services contract will be negotiated between the NHS Confederation and the British Medical Association, following recommendations from an independent, United Kingdom-wide review group. The independent review group will decide which disease areas to consider for addition to the QOF.

Health Services (Derby, North)

Bob Laxton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of patients with suspected cancer in Derby, North saw an NHS consultant within two weeks in each year between 1997 and 2003.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is not available in the format requested. However, information from 1999 onwards for the organisations that service the Derby, North constituency is shown in the table.
	
		All Cancer waiting times, Southern Derbyshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust Urgent referrals received within 24 hours
		
			  Total referrals seen during the year Number of patients seen during the year by a specialist within 14 days of the decision to refer by their general practitioner Number of patients seen during the year by a specialist after 14 days of the decision to refer by their general practitioner Percentage compliance with the two week standard 
		
		
			 1999–2000 470 461 9 98.1 
			 2000–01 1,336 1,306 30 97.8 
			 2001–02 4,185 4,019 166 96.0 
			 2002–03 5,300 5,212 88 98.3 
			 2003–04(33) 4,338 4,300 38 99.1 
		
	
	Note:
	(33) Only three quarters data is available for 2003–04. Date for quarter ended March 2004 will be published on 4 June 2004.
	Source:
	Department of Health form QMCW

Health Services (Nottinghamshire)

Alan Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS (a) nurses, (b) midwives and (c) health visitors were working within Nottinghamshire health authority areas in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Health Services (Nottinghamshire)

Alan Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions were issued to NHS patients within Nottinghamshire health authority areas in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is not available in the format requested. However, information for the years that are available is shown in the following table.
	
		Number of prescription items prescribed in general practitioner practices in Trent Strategic Health Authority (SHA) at primary care trust (PCT) level and total number of prescription items prescribed in general practitioner (GP) practices in England that were dispensed in the community—for 2001–02, 2002–03 and 2003–04
		
			 PCT/SHA where prescriptions prescribed   Financial Years 
			 PCTs 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 Mansfield District 1,250,648 1,319,701 1,380,595 
			 Newark and Sherwood 1,528,463 1,601,288 1,676,492 
			 Gedling 1,038,381 1,087,665 1,132,335 
			 Nottingham City 3,282,767 3,433,254 3,623,316 
			 Bassetlaw 1,405,639 1,492,650 1,547,934 
			 Broxtowe and Hucknall 1,505,645 1,603,861 1,645,517 
			 Ashfield 1,086,997 1,145,424 1,194,587 
			 Rushcliffe 1,253,255 1,314,968 1,383,004 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. This information was obtained from the prescribing analysis and cost (PACT) system, which covers prescriptions prescribed by GP practices in England and dispensed in the community. Prescriptions written within a GP practice but dispensed outside the PCT will be included in the PCT in which the GP practice is based. Prescriptions written in England but dispensed outside England are included. Prescriptions written in hospitals/clinics that are dispensed in the community, prescriptions dispensed in hospitals and private prescriptions are not included in PACT data.
	2. Prescriptions are written on a prescription form. Each single item written on the form is counted as a prescription item.
	3. With effect from October 2002, the prescription pricing analysis (PPA) information systems were changed to reflect Shifting the Balance of Power. Shifting the Balance of Power saw the creation of SHAs and PCTs, which shifted the balance of power within the national health services away from Whitehall and towards front line clinical staff and their patients. Due to Shifting the Balance of Power, from the October 2002 release of ePACT.net, PCT data reflects the organisational structures in place on 1 October 2002. This was true for all 36 months historic data on ePACT.net, so data on ePACT.net prior to October 2002 was also amended retrospectively so that it was in line with Shifting the Balance of Power.

Health Services (Wigan)

Neil Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS beds were available in Wigan in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		Wigan and Leigh Health Services NHS Trust 1996–97 to 2000–01 -- Average daily number of available beds, by sector
		
			 Year All specialties (excluding day only) General and Acute Acute Geriatric Mental illness Learning disability Maternity Day only 
		
		
			 1996–97 1,021 729 611 118 233  59 31 
			 1997–98 990 710 580 131 220  60 33 
			 1998–99 927 703 620 83 170  54 31 
			 1 999–2000 886 695 612 83 137  54 33 
			 2000–01 919 719 636 83 146  54 35 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form KHO3
	
		Wrightington Health Services NHS Trust 1996–97 to 2000–01 
		
			 Year All specialities (excluding day only) General and acute Acute Geriatric Mental illness Learning disability Maternity Day only 
		
		
			 1996–97 148 148 132 16 - - - - 
			 1997–98 154 154 140 14 - - - - 
			 1998–99 158 158 158 - - - - - 
			 1999–2000 158 158 158 - - - - - 
			 2000–01 158 158 158 - - - - - 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form KHO3
	
		Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust 2001–02 to 2002–03.
		
			 Year All specialities (excluding day only) General and Acute Acute Geriatric Mental illness Learning disability Maternity Day only 
		
		
			 1996–97 - - - - - - - - 
			 1997–98 - - - - - - - - 
			 1998–99 - - - - - - - - 
			 1999–2000 - - - - - - - - 
			 2000–01 - - - - - - - - 
			 2001–02 1,083 900 817 83 130 - 53 36 
			 2002–03 899 850 801 49 - - 49 70 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form KHO3

Heroin

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the latest figures are for heroin addiction within the Greater London area.

John Hutton: This information is not collected centrally.

ICT Training

Si�n Simon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his targets are for improving the information and communication technology (ICT) skills base of staff within (a) his Department and (b) its agencies; and what method he uses to certify the competence levels achieved by staff receiving training in ICT.

Rosie Winterton: Neither the Department nor its executive agencies have targets for improving the information and communication technology (ICT) skills base of staff.
	Staff are encouraged to improve their ICT skills and every major corporate application implementation or upgrade of desktop software packages is accompanied by training opportunities. The Department offers a range of training options: classroom training, at-desk training, computer based training, short seminars and workshops. Staff are also able to undertake the European computer driving licence, leading to formally recognised qualifications in ICT.
	The Department and its agencies are very heavily reliant on ICT for the conduct of their business and, while there is no formal, corporate process for validating staff competence in ICT, staff are assessed, as part of the performance appraisal process, on their ability to undertake their roles effectively. This may include ICT related tasks.

ICT Training

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funds will be made available to (a) strategic health authorities and (b) primary care trusts to cover the costs of (i) training clinical staff to use new IT systems as part of the National Programme for IT rollout and (ii) covering for clinical staff while they are training.

John Hutton: Training plans to support the national programme for information technology in the national health service in England (NPfIT) are still evolving, as is to be expected when approaching a phased programme of implementation and roll out of new applications, systems and services.
	General IT skills are now an everyday element for any public service and service based organisation, including the NHS, and provision for this will form part of the   normal continuing professional and personal development for all NHS staff within existing budgets and training plans. The European computer driving licence is helping to improve general skills across the NHS. The move to e-learning and development and the NHS university will both create more demand for computer and online skills and provide more channels and solutions to bring training to people.
	As we complete the more detailed plans for each geographical cluster and local service provider contract we will map out the extent of IT support for clinical practice and patient care to support the implementation of the NPfIT. This will generate clearer training requirements and will enable us to consider the most appropriate ways of providing training and development and produce firmer costs. The bids submitted by the service suppliers for the NPfIT include an element for supporting the delivery of training within the NHS.

Infleximab/Remicade

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps he is proposing to take to ensure that Infleximab/Remicade is made available on the NHS for all patients requiring this treatment;
	(2)  what steps he is taking to ensure that (a) Cherwell Vale Primary Care Trust and (b) other primary care trusts are operating in line with the National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines on the prescription by consultant rheumatologists of Infleximab/Remicade.

Rosie Winterton: National health service bodies are under a statutory obligation to fund treatments recommended in National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) technology appraisals. We expect primary care trusts to meet their statutory obligations and strategic health authorities to follow up any allegations of non-compliance.
	However, clinicians may depart from the NICE guidance if, in their view, the circumstances of the individual patient justify doing so. But they will be held accountable, through clinical governance arrangements, for their clinical decisions.

Maternity Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time midwives are employed in the NHS; and how many were employed (a) five years ago and (b) 10 years ago.

John Hutton: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		NHS hospital and community health services: registered midwives by nature of contract in England as at 30September each year -- Headcount
		
			  Total Full-time Part-time Blank/Unknown 
		
		
			 2003 23,941 10,462 11,796 1,683 
			 1998 22,841 11,638 9,511 1,692 
			 1993 23,353 12,205 7,185 3,963 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. A new classification of the non-medical workforce was introduced in 1995.
	2. Information based on this classification is not directly comparable with earlier years.
	Source:
	Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census.

Maternity Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the merits of permitting people to commence midwifery training without having to undergo prior training as a nurse.

John Hutton: Entry requirements, content or structure of pre-registration nursing and midwifery training programmes are matters which are the responsibility of the Nursing and Midwifery Council as the regulatory body for these professions. The arrangements for direct entry midwifery training leading to professional qualifications and the right to practice have proved successful over the last decade and have the support of   the professional bodies and higher education institutions.

NHS Direct

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many calls were made to NHS Direct in 200304.

Rosie Winterton: Between 1 April 2003 and 31 March 2004, NHS Direct answered 6,427,321 calls.

NHS Direct

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost of NHS Direct was in 200304.

Rosie Winterton: The total budgeted cost for the NHS Direct telephone service, NHS Direct Online and other related services for 200304 is 124 million.

NHS Recruitment

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of healthcare workers from overseas who have been granted work permits were employed by (a) the NHS and (b) the private health sector for their first job on entering the United Kingdom in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Des Browne: holding answer 4 May 2004
	I have been asked to reply.
	The structure of the Work Permits (UK) database and record storage facilities does not allow for a breakdown of the number of work permits awarded to healthcare workers by employer type, i.e. in NHS or private healthcare sector. This information therefore can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Midwives/Nurses

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many midwives were employed in the national health service in each year from 1974 to 2003.

John Hutton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS): Registered midwives in England as at 30September each year
		
			  Whole-time equivalent Headcount 
		
		
			 2003 18,444 23,941 
			 2002 18,119 23,249 
			 2001 18,048 23,075 
			 2000 17,662 22,572 
			 1999 17,876 22,799 
			 1998 18,168 22,841 
			 1997 18,053 22,385 
			 1996 18,262 22,595 
			 1995(34) 18,034 22,022 
			 1994 19,291 23,050 
			 1993 19,554 23,353 
			 1992 20,283 24,020 
			 1991 19,685 23,368 
			 1990 19,897 23,143 
			 1989 19,213 22,391 
			 1988 19,290 22,319 
			 1987 19,312 22,117 
			 1986 18,850 21,549 
			 1985 18,431 21,067 
			 1984 17,820 20,438 
			 1983 17,309 19,814 
			 1982(35) 16,268 18,439 
			 1981 12,743 14,763 
			 1980 13,056 15,209 
			 1979 12,525 14,617 
			 1978 12,115 14,078 
			 1977 12,277 14,192 
			 1976 12,248 14,144 
			 1975 11,380 13,311 
			 1974 10,562 12,300 
		
	
	(34) A new system of occupation coding for NHS non-medical staff was introduced in 1995. The new codes classify staff according to what they do rather than the terms and conditions under which they are employed i.e. national pay scales. Figures based on new occupation codes are not directly comparable with those based on the old pay scale classification. Therefore figures since 1995 are not comparable with earlier years.
	(35) From 1982 onwards data are taken from the Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census. Prior to 1982 data are taken from the Health and Personal Social Services Statistics for England (HPSSS). Data from HPSSS contains hospital-based staff only and is therefore not directly comparable with later years.
	Notes:
	Figures are rounded to the nearest whole number.
	All figures exclude learners and agency staff.
	Sources:
	Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census.
	Health and Personal Social Services Statistics for England (HPSSS).

Midwives/Nurses

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses have (a) entered and (b) completed training since 1997; and how many of those have (i) been recruited into the national health service and (ii) are still working in the national health service.

John Hutton: Information on the number of nurses and midwives entering training each year since 1997 is shown in the table.
	
		Pre-registration nursing and midwifery training commissions
		
			  Headcount 
		
		
			 199697 14,984 
			 199798 16,539 
			 199899 17,689 
			 19992000 18,707 
			 200001 20,021 
			 200102 21,770 
			 200203 22,956 
		
	
	Source:
	Quarterly Monitoring Reports.
	Information on the number of nurses who complete training each year was collected by the English National Board for Nursing, until its abolition in March 2002 with the creation of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). The latest complete information is only available for the 199798 cohort of nursing and midwifery students, of whom 72 per cent. had completed training by October 2001.
	Information is not collected centrally on the number of nurses completing training recruited into the national health service or still working in the NHS. The NMC holds information on the number of nurses and midwives initially entering the register, a pre-requisite for employment in the NHS and other sectors in the United Kingdom. This information can be found on the NMC website at www.nmc-uk.org.
	Between 1997 and 2003, there has been a net increase of 67,503 qualified nurses employed in the NHS.

Midwives/Nurses

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action is being taken to increase the input of front-line nurses into departmental policy formation.

Rosie Winterton: Frontline nurses contribute directly to policy development as individual members of working groups, policy boards and clinical advisory networks. They also contribute though their national health service trusts, modernisation programmes and professional organisations which meet regularly with the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). The contribution of frontline nurses to policy is being increased by engaging the new strategic health authority lead nurses, greater use of electronic communication, visits to the NHS by Ministers and officials and linking modernisation programmes to policy work.

Midwives/Nurses

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for   Health what percentage of nursing students withdrew from university courses in each of the past five years.

John Hutton: Information for England on the percentage of pre-registration student nurses who have left their university course is shown in the following table. The recently received attrition data for the 200203 academic year administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency is in the process of being analysed.
	
		
			  Percentage withdrawn 
		
		
			 19961997 20.38 
			 19971998 20.16 
			 19981999 18.16 
			 19992000 13.44 
			 20002001 6.21 
		
	
	Note:
	This data is based on a snapshot in time of a particular cohort(s) and therefore each year there will still be students who have yet to complete their course.

Obesity

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many children have undergone stomach stapling operations for obesity related problems in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many adults have undergone stomach stapling operations in each of the last five years.

John Hutton: holding answer 11 May 2004
	The table shows the number of finished admission episodes for stomach stapling operations performed on adults over the last five years. No children had stomach stapling operations in relation to obesity during the time period.
	
		
			  Children: 018 years Adults: 19 years and over 
		
		
			 199899 0 4 
			 19992000 0 12 
			 200001 0 14 
			 200102 0 10 
			 200203 0 6 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health, Hospital Episode Statistics.

Opticians

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department plans to offer financial support to the compulsory continued education and training programmes for (a) opticians and (b) dispensing opticians.

Rosie Winterton: As part of a three-year agreement on fees for sight-tests under the general ophthalmic services (GOS), the Department has agreed to make a financial contribution towards the costs of continuing education and training. These arrangements cover optometrists who are obliged to undertake continuing education to maintain their registration with the General Optical Council and also those ophthalmic medical practitioners who undertake no professional work other than conducting sight tests and who are also obliged to undertake continuing education as part of the   registration requirements of the General Medical Council.
	Under the terms of the three-year sight-test fee agreement, the financial support towards continuing education has been set at 270 for the year 200405 and 425 for the year 200506.
	Dispensing opticians are not contracted to provide GOS and are therefore outside of these national health service arrangements and were not part of the pay agreement reached with contractors.
	The Department is due shortly to begin a review of the GOS and the position of dispensing opticians within the NHS will be considered as part of that review.

Opticians

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons dispensing opticians are not recognised by his Department as healthcare professionals.

Rosie Winterton: Dispensing opticians are recognised as health care professionals and are regulated under the Opticians Act. Under legislative changes introduced in 1986, dispensing was deregulated and became a private transaction. Dispensing opticians are therefore not included on primary care trust lists.

Cancer

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) men and (b) women are being treated for cancer in the Greater London area.

John Hutton: Information on treatment for cancer is not available in the format requested. Information on the number of finished admission episodes with a primary diagnosis of neoplasms for the five London strategic health authorities for 200203 is shown in the table.
	
		Primary Diagnosis (ICD-10 C00-D48)Neoplasms: Count of finished admission episodes for London Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs) of treatment NHS hospitals, England 200203
		
			  SHA of treatment Female Male Not known Not specified Total 
		
		
			 Q04 North West London HA 22,179 18,842 6  41,027 
			 Q05 North Central London HA 18,975 17,048 1  36,024 
			 Q06 North East London HA 18,519 17,883   36,402 
			 Q07 South East London HA 13,369 12,714  4 26,087 
			 Q08 South West London HA 22,057 19,705 2  41,764 
			
			  London SHAs 95,099 86,192 9 4 181,304 
		
	
	Finished admission episodes
	A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider.
	Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.
	Diagnosis (Primary Diagnosis)
	The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (7 prior to 200203) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.
	Ungrossed Data
	Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health.

Patient Statistics (Wandsworth)

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients there were per general practitioner within the London borough of Wandsworth at the most recent recorded date.

John Hutton: The information requested is collected by primary care trust (PCT) rather than London borough. Information for Wandsworth PCT is shown in the table.
	
		Patients of unrestricted principals and equivalents (UPEs)1 for Wandsworth PCT
		
			  Wandsworth PCT 
		
		
			 UPEs 174 
			 Patients of UPEs 302,798 
			 Average list size 1,740 
		
	
	(36) UPEs include general medical service unrestricted principals, personal medical services contracted general practitioners and personal medical service salaried GPs. Data as at 30 September 2003.
	Source:
	Department of Health general and personal medical services statistics.

PFI Schemes

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the aggregate annual revenue payments from 200405 onwards are in respect of NHS private finance initiative schemes which have reached financial close.

John Hutton: The annual aggregate revenue payments for all national health service private finance initiative (PFI) schemes with a capital value of 10 million or over which have reached financial close are in the table.
	
		
			  Payment ( million) 
		
		
			 200405 389.2 
			 200506 477.7 
			 200607 567.9 
			 200708 599.0 
			 200809 641.3 
			 200910 641.5 
			 201011 641.1 
			 201112 642.2 
			 201213 642.5 
			 201314 642.8 
			 201415 643.6 
			 201516 643.5 
			 201617 642.1 
			 201718 641.0 
			 201819 640.4 
			 201920 640.7 
			 202021 640.8 
			 202122 640.4 
			 202223 639.8 
			 202324 637.1 
			 202425 634.2 
			 202526 631.9 
			 202627 613.5 
			 202728 613.9 
			 202829 613.4 
			 202930 609.3 
		
	
	These figures are submitted bi-annually to Her Majesty's Treasury. Table C19 of the Budget report contains an aggregate figure for the revenue payments from all Government Departments and they appear in Treasury Ministers' autumn report to Parliament.
	Statistics are not collected centrally for schemes with a value less than 10 million.

Prescription Charges

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost to his Department of freezing prescription charges at their current price over the next five years.

Rosie Winterton: The level of the prescription charge is considered annually and no forecast is made of future charge levels. It is therefore not possible to estimate the cost of freezing the current charge.

Prostate Cancer

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many men are being treated for prostate cancer in (a) Lancashire and (b) Chorley.

Melanie Johnson: The information is not available in the format requested.
	In 200203, there were 1,263 finished admission episodes with a primary diagnosis of prostate cancer for Lancashire area, of which 189 were for the area covered by Chorley and South Ribble Primary Care Trust.
	Notes:
	1. A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. 2. The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 200203) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HRS) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital. 3. Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed).
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health.

Psychiatrists

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  by what percentage the number of NHS psychiatrists has changed since 1997;
	(2)  how many consultant psychiatrists are employed   by the NHS in (a) Leicestershire and (b) England.

John Hutton: The number of staff within the psychiatry group in England increased by 21.8 per cent. between September 1997 and September 2003. The number of consultants within the psychiatry group in England increased by 35.1 per cent. between September 1997 and December 2003.
	The table shows the number of consultants within the psychiatry group, broken down by psychiatry specialties, in England and Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Strategic Health Authority as at December 2003.
	
		Hospital, Public Health Medicine and Community Health Services (HCHS): -- Consultants within the psychiatry group in England and Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Strategic Health Authority by organisation: as at 30December 2003Numbers (headcount)
		
			Of which 
			   Psychiatry group Child and adolescent psychiatry Forensic psychiatry General psychiatry Learning disabilities Old age psychiatry Psychotherapy 
		
		
			 England  3,305 526 216 1,804 206 442 111 
			  
			 Of which 
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland SHA Q25 84 13 (37) 40 7 19 5 
			  
			 Of which 
			 Leicestershire  Rutland Healthcare NHS Trust RT5 58 8 (37) 29 5 14 2 
			 Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust RNS 3 3 (37) (37) (37) (37) (37) 
			 Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust RP1 23 2 (37) 11 2 5 3 
		
	
	(37) Zero
	Source:
	Department of Health medical and dental workforce census

Psychiatrists

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are planned to increase the recruitment and retention of psychiatrists in the NHS.

Rosie Winterton: The Government's agenda to improve the recruitment and retention of psychiatrists is being taken forward by the National Institute for Mental Health in England national workforce programme.
	The Department and the Royal College of Psychiatrists have issued a joint action plan providing recommendations to increase the recruitment and overall numbers and the retention of consultant psychiatrists in January. The recommended actions cover the whole career pathway from initial recruitment of medical graduates into psychiatry through to the timing of retirement and improving international recruitment.
	The national workforce programme is currently producing an analysis of demand and supply of staff to influence the commissioning of funding for education and training by the workforce development confederations by way of the national workforce numbers advisory board.
	The programme is also exploring proposals to create more flexibility between specialist registrar and senior house officer posts with a view to reducing potential difficulties in filling them.

Radiography Services (Berkshire)

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many qualified radiographers have been employed at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: Requested information on number of qualified radiographers is provided in the table.
	NHS hospital and community health services: Qualified radiography staff in the Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospitals NHS Trust by area as at 30 September each specified year.
	
		headcount
		
			  1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Total qualified radiographers 94 74 90 91 90 95 
			 of which:   
			 Diagnostic radiographers 75 58 70 73 74 76 
			 Therapeutic radiographers 19 16 20 18 16 19 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census

Rubber Ferrules

Howard Flight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the expenditure was on the acquisition of rubber ferrules in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 20 May 2004
	Ferrules are supplied to the national health service as part of the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency's national agreement for the supply of walking aids. The Department holds information on ferrules bought since 199899. The contract is not mandatory, and therefore some NHS bodies may buy ferrules from other sources.
	The expenditure on the contract was as follows:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 199899 96,670.37 
			 19992000 103,094.37 
			 200001 87,739.36 
			 200102 96,896.97 
			 200203 101,855.81 
			 200304 106,347.92 
		
	
	Note:
	All figures include Value Added Tax.

Radiology

Andy King: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many interventional radiologists practise in the NHS; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: Interventional radiology is the use of imaging guidance for the purpose of treating patients.
	There is no certificate of completion of specialist training in interventional radiology. Therefore, the Department does not collect data on the numbers of interventional radiologists practising in the national health service. Many clinical radiologists undertake interventional radiological procedures and most of them combine diagnosis and intervention in their practice.

Sick Leave

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the staff of his Department were absent from work due to sickness as a proportion of the staff time available in each year since 2000.

Rosie Winterton: Information on sickness absence in the Department is available in the publication, Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service. Copies of Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service are available in the Library and at www. cabinet-office.gov.uk/civilservice/publications/sickness/index.htm. The website also contains reports for the previous three years.
	Information on the number of staff employed by the Department can be found in the publication, Civil Service Statistics.
	Copies of Civil Service Statistics are available in the Library and at www.civil-service.gov.uk/Statistics/css/htm. The website contains publications since the financial year 1970.

Skin Cancer

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of the two week wait rule on the management of suspected skin cancers.

Melanie Johnson: A two-week outpatient waiting time standard was introduced for urgently referred cases of suspected skin cancer from October 2000. In the last quarter (October to December 2003), 99.5 per cent., of urgently referred patients with suspected skin cancer were seen within two weeks of urgent referral. We have issued general practitioner cancer referral guidelines to assist GPs in determining those patients who need to be referred urgently to see a specialist within two weeks, those patients that can be referred for a routine appointment and those who can be safely watched at a primary care level. The referral guidelines are currently being reviewed by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence.

Smoking

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultation he has undertaken on a possible ban on the smoking of tobacco in public places.

Melanie Johnson: On 3 March, the Government launched Choosing Health?, a consultation on action to improve people's health. This sets out a range of questions on which the Government are seeking views.
	Questions regarding smoking of tobacco in public places are:
	Should the Government pass a law to make all enclosed workplaces/public places smoke-free?
	What about restaurants?
	What about pubs and bars?
	Would local authorities be better placed than central Government to introduce laws?
	Apart from bans how else could local towns and cities respond to calls for more smoke-free public places?
	The consultation continues until 28 May.

Social Care

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the recent TV advertising campaign in respect of social care careers.

Stephen Ladyman: During the five weeks of the campaign, the social care careers helpline received more than 66,000 calls against a forecast of 23,000, with the majority of the calls generated by television. This is a very high response and indicates that for many people, social care is a viable career option.
	The website, www.socialcarecareers.co.uk, attracted more than 23,000 unique visitors and to support those interested in jobs, links were established to local authority job pages and to Jobcentre Plus.

St. George's Hospital

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many assaults there were on members of staff during the last 12 months at St. George's Hospital, Tooting.

John Hutton: During 200203, there were 60 violent incidents 1 on directly employed staff at the St. George's Healthcare National Health Service Trust.
	1  Violent incidents are counted as any incident where staff are abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances related to their work, involving an explicit or implicit challenge to their safety, well being or health.
	Notes:
	1. Data at individual hospitals are not available centrally as information is collected at NHS trust or primary care trust level. 2. Data are collected on a financial year basis.
	Source:
	Department of Health Violence, Accidents and Harassment Survey 20022003.

St. George's Hospital

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses are employed at St. George's Hospital, Tooting; and how many are (a) agency nurses and (b) recruited from overseas countries.

John Hutton: Information on the number of nurses at St George's Healthcare National Health Service Trust is shown in the table. Information is not available centrally on the number agency nurses or the number of nurses recruited from overseas countries by the trust.
	
		NHS hospital and community health services: Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff in the St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust as at 30September 2003
		
			   Headcount 
		
		
			 RJ7 St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust 2,375 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census

Supporting People Scheme

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines he is putting in place for health agencies on the effects on the provision of (a) learning disability and (b) mental health services of changes in the Supporting People budgets.

Rosie Winterton: No guidelines are being issued with regard to any changes in the Supporting People budgets.

Waiting Lists/Times

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time is for a patient to get an appointment to be seen at a genito-urinary medicine clinic in each strategic health authority area in England.

John Hutton: holding answer 18 May 2004
	Data on average waiting times are shown in the table.
	
		Estimated average out-patient wait for those seen under the genito-urinary medicine specialty for March 2004 by Strategic Health Authority (SHA)
		
			 SHA name Median (weeks) 
		
		
			 Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire 2.00 
			 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 2.11 
			 Essex 2.25 
			 North West London  
			 North Central London 2.07 
			 North East London 2.00 
			 South East London 2.01 
			 South West London  
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 2.02 
			 County Durham and Tees Valley  
			 North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire 2.00 
			 West Yorkshire 2.02 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire  
			 Greater Manchester 2.04 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside 2.14 
			 Thames Valley 2.00 
			 Hampshire and Isle of Wight 2.00 
			 Kent and Medway 2.41 
			 Surrey and Sussex  
			 Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 2.72 
			 South West Peninsula 3.13 
			 Somerset and Dorset 2.00 
			 South Yorkshire 2.01 
			 Trent  
			 Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland 2.03 
			 Shropshire and Staffordshire  
			 Birmingham and The Black Country 2.02 
			 Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire 2.03 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health form QM08.

Waiting Lists/Times

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the (a) average and (b) maximum waiting time to see (i) an occupational therapist, (ii) a physiotherapist and (iii) a speech and language therapist in (A) England and (B) each strategic health authority;

John Hutton: Information on waiting times for these services is not collected centrally.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Antisocial Behaviour

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many places have been designated as areas of persistent antisocial behaviour by the Metropolitan police since the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 came into force; how many dispersal orders have been issued in those areas; and how many unsupervised children have been escorted home from those areas.

Hazel Blears: The Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis tells me that the information requested is not currently held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Asylum

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much money has been spent by the National Asylum Support Service in each year since its inception (a) on subsistence only support, (b) on NASS accommodation and (c) in total.

Des Browne: holding answer 14 May 2004
	The information requested on the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) accommodation costs and total NASS expenditure is as follows.
	
		 million(38)
		
			  Financial Year  (a) Subsistence only support 2 (b) Expenditure on NASS Accommodation (c) Total NASS Expenditure 
		
		
			 200001 Not recorded separately Not recorded separately 783 
			 200102 Not recorded separately 439 1,082 
			 200203 Not recorded separately 594 1,124 
			 200404 Not recorded separately Not yet available Not yet available 
		
	
	(38) All figures rounded to the nearest million.
	(39) Specific information on the costs of providing subsistence only are not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Asylum

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) men and (b) women from the Ukraine have sought political asylum in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and how many applications have been granted.

Des Browne: The tables show asylum application and initial decision data for Ukranian nationals, by gender, for those years for which data are available:
	
		Asylum applications(40) received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and initial decisions(41), on applications, by gender, 200103
		
			  Applications Initial decisions 
			  Total applications Total initial decisions Grants of asylum Grants of ELR Grants of HP/DL Refusals 
		
		
			 Male   
			 20013, 4 315 830 5 15 n/a 810 
			 2002(43) 280 230 * 5 n/a 225 
			 2003(43) 205 230  5 * 225 
			 Female   
			 20013, 4 130 345 * 15 n/a 330 
			 2002(43) 80 80  5 n/a 75 
			 2003(43) 90 120  * 5 115 
		
	
	n/a = not applicable.
	(40) Figures rounded to nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2.
	(41) Information is of initial decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals determinations or other subsequent decisions.
	(42) Revised figures.
	(43) Provisional figures.
	Information on asylum applications and initial decisions, by gender, is published in the annual statistical bulletin, Asylum Statistics United Kingdom. Copies of these publications and others relating to general immigration to the UK are available from the Library and from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

Asylum

Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many citizens of the new EU accession states, previously maintained as asylum seekers, have (a) had that maintenance removed, (b) lost their housing and (c) applied for work registration.

Des Browne: On 5 and 6 April 2004, the National Asylum Support Services (NASS) sent 1,131 letters to nationals from those countries due to join the EU on 1 May (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Cyprus and Malta). The letters explained that, after 1 May, as EEA nationals, they would no longer be entitled to National Asylum Support Service (NASS) support and that they would have the options of working, and registering under the Worker Registration scheme where appropriate, becoming self sufficient or returning to their country of origin. Support can be provided if it is necessary to avoid a breach of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and a process has been set up to consider ECHR representations.
	Provisional figures indicate that as at 14 May, of the 1,131 cases, 571 were remaining in NASS accommodation and a further 108 were receiving cash only support, pending an individual assessment of their circumstances. These figures are subject to change as cases find work or if they decide to leave the United Kingdom voluntarily.
	Figures are not currently available for those supported by local authorities under the interim provisions but local authorities have been advised of the procedures being followed by NASS.
	The Immigration and Nationality Directorate is monitoring the impact of accession and will be making information available on the Worker Registration Scheme on a regular basis, when it is meaningful and appropriate to do so.

Asylum

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers and their dependants in each parliamentary constituency in the City of Newcastle in December 2003 were supported by the National Asylum Support Service; and how many of those were (a) from the EU accession countries and (b) potentially covered by amnesty schemes.

Des Browne: The total number of asylum seekers (including dependants), and those from the EU accession countries (including dependants), in each parliamentary constituency in the City of Newcastle as at the end of December 2003 that were supported by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) are shown in the table:
	
		
			 Parliamentary constituency Number of asylum seekers supported by NASS 1(including dependants) Number of asylum seekers supported by NASS 1 from the EU accession countries (including dependants) 
		
		
			 Newcastle upon Tyne Central 430 20 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne East and   Wallsend 475 20 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne North 145 10 
			 Tyne Bridge 515 40 
			 Total 1,565 90 
		
	
	(44) Number of asylum seekers supported by NASS includes those supported in NASS accommodation and those in receipt of subsistence only support.
	Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.
	Data about how many of the asylum seekers supported by NASS in the City of Newcastle that are potentially covered by amnesty schemes are not available.
	An announcement detailing the results of the exercise announced by my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary in October 2003, including the available statistical information, will be made when the exercise is completed. We would not wish to release figures until all those potentially qualifying applicants have had an opportunity to respond to our queries.
	We have made good progress in considering the cases originally identified. The bulk of cases have been processed with the majority, where the applicants have responded to our queries, having been decided. We are reliant on the applicants we contact replying to our queries promptly. Those not doing so are being reminded.
	Information on the number of asylum seekers supported by NASS is published quarterly. The next   publication covering the first quarter of 2004 (January to March) will be available on 25 May on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for the   Home Department how many asylum seekers in (a) the UK, (b) West Yorkshire, (c) Kirklees and (d) Huddersfield have exhausted the appeals process and have been refused on asylum and human rights grounds and are unable to be returned to their own country because it is not considered safe.

Des Browne: I regret that the information requested on appeal rights exhausted is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case files.
	Where an asylum seeker has had their claim refused and has exhausted their appeal rights it is considered safe for them to return to their own country.
	Statistics on initial asylum decisions, appeals and removals are published quarterly. Copies of the most recent publications are available from the Library of the House or on the Home Office
	Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1. html

Asylum

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time taken is for the removal of asylum seekers whose claims have been unsuccessful following judicial review.

Des Browne: Information on final decisions made on asylum applications, and on the interval between the final refusal of the applicationincluding any appealand subsequent removal of the person concerned is not readily available. This could be obtained only by examination of individual case files to obtain information on the outcomes of initial decisions, of subsequent appeals to the Immigration Appellate Authority, the Tribunal and for Judicial Review, and of cases which have been reconsidered, which would incur disproportionate cost.

Asylum

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which countries' citizens can claim hard case support if their asylum claims are refused on appeal.

Des Browne: holding answer 12 May 2004
	Failed asylum seekers of any nationality may seek support under section 4 of the 1999 Act if they are seeking to return but cannot do so immediately, and fulfil the other criteria set out in the National Asylum Support Service Policy Bulletin 71 which was published on 25 March.

Asylum

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when failed Iraqi asylum seekers are expected to return home.

Des Browne: holding answer 12 May 2004
	All asylum and human rights claims are considered on their individual merits in accordance with our obligations under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Should a claim be refused and any appeal before the Independent Immigration Appellate Authority be unsuccessful, it means for that individual it is safe to return. We would expect these individuals to return home.
	We have reached agreement with the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq to begin enforced returns. Work is currently under way on the practicalities of the returns programme, and returns will begin as soon as these arrangements are finalised.
	We are currently facilitating the return of those who wish to go home through the International Organisation for Migration.

Asylum

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made towards setting a target for the proportion of asylum claims, including final appeal, to be determined within six months.

Des Browne: The confirmed target will be published shortly.

Asylum

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) men and (b) women from Russia have sought political asylum in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and how many applications have been granted.

Des Browne: The table shows asylum application and initial decision data for Russian nationals, by gender, for those years for which data are available:
	
		Asylum applications(45) received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and initial decisions(46), on applications, 200103, Russian males and females
		
			  2001 3,4 2002 4 2003 4 
			 Applications Male Female Male Female Male Female 
		
		
			 Total applications 310 140 170 125 175 110 
			
			 Initial decisions  
			 Total initial decisions 610 285 235 120 235 135 
			 Grants of asylum 15 5 10 5 5 5 
			 Grants of ELR 25 10 15 5 5 * 
			 Grants of HP/DL n/a n/a n/a n/a 5 5 
			 Refusals 570 270 210 110 215 130 
		
	
	n/a Not applicable
	(45) Figures rounded to nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2. Figures may not sum to totals due to rounding.
	(46) Information is of initial decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals determinations or other subsequent decisions,
	(47) Revised figures
	(48) Provisional figures.
	Information on asylum applications and initial decisions, by gender, is published in the annual statistical bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom. Copies of these publications and others relating to general immigration to the UK are available from the Library and from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate web site at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum

Sydney Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many failed asylum seekers were removed from the UK in (a) 200102, (b) 200203 and (c) 200304.

Des Browne: The available information is in the table.
	
		Removals and voluntary departures of asylum applicants1,2
		
			  200102 3 20020 3 AprilDecember 2003 3 
		
		
			 Principal applicants 9,630 10,915 9,870 
			 Dependants 1,970 4,065 3,180 
			 Total 11,600 14,975 13,050 
		
	
	(49) Includes persons departing 'voluntarily' after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration, and removals on safe third country ground.
	(50) Figures rounded to the nearest five, and may not sum due to rounding.
	(51) Provisional figures.
	Information on asylum seekers who were removed from the UK in the first quarter of 2004 will be published on 25 May on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate web site at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in the last five years have sought asylum from (a) Zimbabwe and (b) Afghanistan; how many have been refused; and how many have been returned.

Des Browne: The table shows the number of asylum applications and initial decisions for nationals of Afghanistan and Zimbabwe (excluding dependants), 1999 to 2003 where available. Initial decisions do not necessarily relate to applications received in the same period.
	
		Asylum applications(52) received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and initial decisions(53), on applications, 1999 to 2003, nationals of Afghanistan -- Principal applicants
		
			 Decisions 
			  Applications(54) Cases considered under normal procedures(55) Backlog clearance exercise 
			  Total Port In Country Total decisions Grants of asylum Grants of ELR Grants of HP Grants of DL Total refusals Grants of ELR under backlog criteria5,6 Non compliance refusals under backlog criteria5,7 
		
		
			 1999 3,975 2,610 1,365 1,295 15 1,180 n/a n/a 90 10  
			 2000 5,555 2,610 2,945 2,590 375 695 n/a n/a 1,515 10  
			 2001(59) 8,920 4,560 4,360 12,365 2,320 7,500 n/a n/a 2,545 n/a n/a 
			 2002(60) 7,205 1,765 5,440 8,175 115 4,765 n/a n/a 3,300 n/a n/a 
			 2003(60) 2,290 700 1,590 3,920 40 205 * 350 3,320 n/a n/a 
		
	
	
		Asylum applications(52) received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and initial decisions(53) on applications, 1999 to 2003, nationals of Zimbabwe -- Principal applicants
		
			 Decisions 
			  Applications Cases considered under normal procedures(55) Backlog clearance exercise 
			  Total Port In Country Total decisions Grants of asylum Grants of ELR Grants of HP Grants of DL Total refusals Grants of ELR under backlog criteria5,6 Non compliance refusals under backlog5,7 
		
		
			 1999 230 180 50 115   n/a n/a 105 10 * 
			 2000 1,010 820 190 595 20 10 n/a n/a 525 35 5 
			 2001(59) 2,140 1,510 625 2,130 120 45 n/a n/a 1,970 n/a n/a 
			 2002(60) 7,655 5,305 2,350 6,235 2,240 110 n/a n/a 3,885 n/a n/a 
			 2003(60) 3,280 715 2,565 4,175 870 10 5 20 3,275 n/a n/a 
		
	
	n/a = Not applicable.
	(52) Figures rounded to nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2.
	(53) Information is of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.
	(54) May exclude some cases lodged at Local Enforcement Offices between January and March 2000.
	(55) Cases considered under normal procedures may include some cases decided under the backlog criteria.
	(56) Cases decided under pragmatic measures aimed at reducing the pre '96 act asylum backlog.
	(57) May include a small number of cases where asylum has been granted.
	(58) May include a small number of cases where the application has been refused on substantive grounds.
	(59) Provisional figures.
	(60) Revised figures.
	The table shows the available data, for outcomes of adjudicator appeals at the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA) for nationals of Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, the latest period for which published data are available. Appeals may relate to initial decisions made in earlier periods. Corresponding information on appeals to the Immigration Appellate Tribunal (IAT) relating to Afghan and Zimbabwean nationals (including appeals made by the Secretary of State) is not available and could   be produced only at disproportionate cost by examination of individual case files.
	
		Outcome of Appeals1,2 determined by adjudicators of the Immigration Appellate Authority, excluding dependants, nationals of Afghanistan, 2001 to 2003 -- Number of principal appellants
		
			  Appeals determined by adjudicators(62) 
			   Allowed Dismissed Withdrawn 
			  Total Total As a percentage of Determined Total As a percentage of Determined Total As a percentage of Determined 
		
		
			 2001 595 110 18 260 44 225 38 
			 2002 2,040 230 11 1,235 60 580 28 
			 2003 5,535 710 13 4,420 80 405 7 
		
	
	
		Outcome of Appeals1,2 determined by adjudicators of the Immigration Appellate Authority, excluding dependants, nationals of Zimbabwe, 2001 to 2003 -- Number of principal appellants
		
			  Appeals determined by adjudicators(62) 
			   Allowed Dismissed Withdrawn 
			  Total Total As a percentage of Determined Total As a percentage of Determined Total As a percentage of Determined 
		
		
			 2001 1,115 255 23 815 73 40 4 
			 2002 2,405 925 38 1,370 57 110 5 
			 2003 4,080 1,165 29 2,735 67 180 4 
		
	
	(61) Provisional figures rounded to nearest 5 (except percentages), with * = 1 or 2. Figures may not add up due to independent rounding. Data on appeal outcomes by nationality in this table are derived from electronic sources.
	(62) Figures include cases withdrawn by the Home Office, as well as the appellant.
	Removal of failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe was suspended on 15 January 2002; we did not at the time consider that it was unsafe to return them but in view of the rapidly changing circumstances it was appropriate not to enforce returns. The suspension has been maintained since that date and although we still consider it would not be unsafe to return failed asylum seekers there, enforced returns would be inappropriate in the wider context of the Government's position on Zimbabwe. An exception to the suspension policy in cases where a failed asylum seeker has a serious criminal record or their presence in the United Kingdom is not otherwise conducive to the public good was announced on 5 February 2004. In such circumstances enforced return to Zimbabwe would be considered by Ministers on a case-by-case basis.
	
		Removals and voluntary departures(63)of asylum applicants, excluding dependants, Afghan and Zimbabwean nationals, January 1999 to September 20032 -- Principal applicants
		
			 Nationality 1999 3 2000 3 2001 3,4,5 2002 3,4,5,6 January to September 2003 3,4,5,6 
		
		
			 Afghanistan   125 395 460 
			 Zimbabwe   210 110 45 
		
	
	(63) Includes persons departing Voluntarily' after enforcement action had been initiated against them, persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration, and removals on safe third country grounds.
	(64) Figures rounded to the nearest five, with * = 1 or 2, and may not sum due to rounding.
	(65) Figures may include a small number of dependants leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes.
	(66) Figures exclude dependants of asylum seekers removed. Data on dependants removed have only been collected since April 2001.
	(67) Data have been estimated due to data quality issues.
	(68) Provisional figures.
	Information on asylum applications, initial decisions, appeals and removals are published in quarterly web pages, the next publication covering the first quarter of 2004 will be available on the 25 May 2004, and in the annual statistical bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom. Copies of these publications and others relating to general immigration to the UK are available from the Library and from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

Asylum

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his latest estimate is of the number of asylum seekers who have failed the appeal process and are ineligible for National Asylum Support Service, Government or local authority financial support in (a) the UK and (b) Leeds.

Des Browne: The information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	Information on asylum appeals and the number of asylum seekers supported by NASS are published quarterly; the next publication covering the first quarter of 2004 will be available on the 25 May 2004. Copies of these publications and others relating to general immigration to the UK are available from the Library and from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice. gov.uk/rds/immigration1 .html

Asylum

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions and guidance have been given to officials on the number of days asylum seekers who have failed the appeal process must spend on the streets before they qualify for hard case support; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: There is nothing to prevent the majority of failed asylum seekers from leaving the country voluntarily and there is no need for them to become homeless or destitute. They can seek assistance with return from either the Immigration Service or the International Organisation for Migration. Those unable to leave immediately who are complying with the process for return may, on application, be provided with accommodation under section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, as amended. There is no need for anyone in this group to become homeless or destitute. They can seek accommodation as soon as they receive the final decision on their asylum claim. In addition, letters sent to failed asylum seekers by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) notifying them of the termination of support now give advice on the availability of section 4 support. MASS has also now introduced a one-stage application process in order to reduce the time taken to process applications.

Asylum

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in the last five years have sought asylum from Iraq; and how many have been refused.

Des Browne: The tables show applications and initial decisions and appeal decisions for nationals of Iraq, 19992003 where available. Initial decisions do not necessarily relate to applications made in the same period, neither do appeal outcomes necessarily relate to decisions made in the same period.
	
		Asylum applications(69) received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and initial decisions(70) on applications, 19992003: Nationals of Iraq -- Principal applicants
		
			  Applications(71) 
			  Total Port In country Total initial decisions 
		
		
			 1999 1,800 1,385 415 745 
			 2000(72) 7,475 1,920 5,555 5,530 
			 2001(73) 6,680 2,315 4,365 9,035 
			 2002(74) 14,570 1,525 13,045 11,905 
			 2003(74) 4,045 415 3,635 6,755 
		
	
	
		
			  Initial decisionsCases considered under normal procedures(75) Backlog clearance exercise 
			  Grants of asylum Grants of ELR Grants of HP Grants of DL Total refusals Grants of ELR under backlog criteria4,8 Non compliance refusals under backlog criteria8,9 
		
		
			 1999 315 320 n/a n/a 100 5 (69) 0  
			 2000(72) 845 2,455 n/a n/a 2,220 10 (69) 0  
			 2001(73) 830 1,885 n/a n/a 6,315 n/a n/a 
			 2002(74) 715 8,195 n/a n/a 2,995 n/a n/a 
			 2003(74) 75 2,105 (69) 0  45 4,530 n/a n/a 
		
	
	(69) Figures rounded to nearest 5
	(70) Information is of initial determination decisions, excluding the outcome of appeals or other subsequent decisions.
	(71) May exclude some cases lodged at Local Enforcement Offices between January and March 2000.
	(72) May include a small number of cases where asylum has been granted.
	(73) Revised figures
	(74) Provisional figures
	(75) Cases considered under normal procedures may include some cases decided under the backlog criteria.
	(76) Cases decided under pragmatic measures aimed at reducing the pre '96 act asylum backlog.
	(77) May include a small number of cases where the application has been refused on substantive grounds.
	(78) Equals 1 or 2
	
		Outcome of appeals1,2 determined by adjudicators of the Immigration Appellate Authority, excluding dependants: Nationals of Iraq, 2001 to 2003 -- Number of principal appellants
		
			  Appeals determined by adjudicators(80) 
			   Allowed Dismissed Withdrawn 
			  Total Total As percentage of determined Total As percentage of determined Total As percentage of determined 
		
		
			 2001 1,655 445 27 1,065 64 145 9 
			 2002(81) 4,570 1,130 25 2,970 65 470 10 
			 2003(81) 5,400 495 9 4,465 8 445 8 
		
	
	(79) Figures rounded to nearest 5 (except percentages). Figures may not add up due to independent rounding. Data on appeal outcomes by nationality in this table are derived from electronic sources.
	(80) Figures include cases withdrawn by the Home Office, as well as the appellant.
	(81) Provisional figures
	Information on asylum applications, initial decisions and appeals are published in quarterly web pages, the next publication covering the first quarter of 2004 will be available on the 25 May 2004, and in the annual statistical bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom. Copies of these publications and others relating to general immigration to the UK are available from the Library and from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate web site at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Biometric Technology

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the (a) cost to date and (b) projected cost is of developing biometric technology for inclusion in passports, broken down by financial year; and whether any portion of the expenditure is   included in the identity card set-up costs cited in his   statement of 11 November 2003, Official Report, column 178.

Des Browne: The cost incurred by the UK Passport Service to develop a facial biometric chip enabled passport is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Year () 
		
		
			 200304 850 
			 200405 4,645 
			 200506 625 
		
	
	The work being carried out to develop biometric technology for inclusion in passports is necessary to meet current International Civil Aviation Organisation (IACO) recommended standards for passports and therefore no portion of this expenditure is included in the identity card set-up costs.

Charity Commission

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many receivers and managers were appointed by the Charity Commissioners in (a) 200102, (b) 200203 and (c) 200304; what the total cost was to all charities of such appointments in each period; and what the (i) shortest and (ii) longest duration of receiver and manager appointments to a charity have been since April 2001.

Fiona Mactaggart: These are matters for the Charity   Commission as the Government Department responsible for the regulation of charities in England and Wales. The Director of Operations of the Charity Commission will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

Commission for Racial Equality

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations his Department has undertaken with race relations bodies about the effects of the Commission for Racial Equality Getting Results programme.

Fiona Mactaggart: holding answer 20 May 2004
	It is the responsibility of the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) to set its own criteria for grant funding under the provisions of section 44 of the Race Relations Act 1976, and then to make decisions on individual applications on the basis of how well they meet those criteria. The CRE consulted widely on its proposals to move away from its previous policy of funding posts in bodies it supports, mainly Race Equality Councils, to funding projects focused on outcomes (ie the Getting Results programme). I understand that its partners welcomed the new approach, as do the Government.

Commission for Racial Equality

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact the Commission for Racial Equality's Getting Results programme on the delivery of race equality schemes.

Fiona Mactaggart: holding answer 20 May 2004
	The publication of a race equality scheme is a specific duty placed on certain public bodies under the Race Relations Act 1976 (Statutory Duties) Order 2001. The responsibility for delivering these schemes lies with the bodies listed in the order. Section 44 funding has never been intended to fund the delivery of this particular aspect of the Race Equality Duty. However, the Commission for Racial Equality informs me that one of the specific priorities for Getting Results funding in 200405 has been measuring the impact of the Race Equality Duty, and that 193,200 has been awarded to organisations under this priority. This is distinct from the delivery of race equality schemes.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton dated 1 March, with regard to Ms N. Islam, transferred from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

David Blunkett: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 6 May 2004.

Criminal Records Bureau

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Criminal Records Bureau is permitted to access Department of Health and Department of Education and Skills List 99 records when checking the suitability of individuals for work with children.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 10 December 2003
	Section 115(6) of the Police Act 1997 gives provision for the Secretary of State for the Home Department to access lists held by the Department of Health and the Department for Education and Skills when checking individuals for work with children.

Criminals (New Identity Costs)

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it a policy of the Government to require those convicted of crimes, who are provided with a new identity upon their release, to contribute to the costs involved where they have the means to do so.

Paul Goggins: holding answer 23 March 2004
	Most of the very small number of convicted criminals who need new identities on release from prison do so because, at some point in the criminal proceedings, they have decided to turn Queen's Evidence and appear as witnesses for the prosecution against their former partners in crime. Since in doing this they have helped to convict other (often more serious) offenders, then it is cost-effective for the state to offer to pay for any necessary change to their identity, and any other associated costs. In other cases the state is required to take reasonable steps to fulfil its duty to protect the lives of those threatened by others. Only in the most exceptional circumstances would this include a formal change of identity and only where the threat to life is clearly evidenced and the change of identity considered appropriate by the police.

Departmental Buildings

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the   Home Department what (a) renovation and (b) maintenance projects on buildings (i) owned and (ii) rented by his Department were undertaken in each of the last five years; and what the associated costs were of each.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Department does not maintain central records of the cost of every building refurbishment project carried out by the Department including its Executive agencies and to provide the information requested would be at disproportionate cost. However, in central London and Croydon, the approximate expenditure on such projects which includes elements of maintenance and alterations to house additional staff, over the last five years, is as follows.
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 19992000 6.7 
			 200001 (82)35.2 
			 200102 11.5 
			 200203 9.2 
			 200304 4.0 
		
	
	(82) Figures for 200001 reflects the refurbishment of Lunar House, Croydon which had a major upgrade that year.

Departmental Contracts

Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether companies that tender for his Department's contracts have to recognise the relevant trade union as a condition of winning that contract.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Home Office does not ask companies to recognise the relevant trade union as a condition of winning Home Office contracts.
	Government policy requires that all procurement must be transparent and non-discriminatory, and that contracts must be awarded on a value for money basis.

Departmental Staffing

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost to his Department of employing temporary staff through agencies was in each of the last five years.

Fiona Mactaggart: holding answer 31 March 2003
	The employment of temporary staff through employment agencies for the Core Home Office over the last five years is as follows:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 1999 6,500,408 
			 2000 11,768,105 
			 2001 20,669,056 
			 2002 41,713,675 
			 2003 54,466,279 
		
	
	The Stage 2 RAB Resource DEL for the Home Office over the same period was:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 19992000 7,076,102,000 
			 200001 8,398,131,000 
			 200102 10,261,856,000 
			 200203 11,088,502,000 
			 200304 11,836,009,000 
		
	
	Expenditure expressed as a percentage of the Home Office total DEL during the last five years was as follows:
	
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 19992000 0.09 
			 200001 0.14 
			 200102 0.20 
			 200203 0.38 
			 200304 0.46 
		
	
	The Immigration and Nationality Directorate accounted for around half of the cost for each financial year.
	The use of temporary staff provides the Home Office with cost effective, flexible resources which can be employed at very short notice. Their employment often allows the Department to react quickly to changes in the demands that it faces by deploying appropriately skilled and experienced individuals quickly to those areas of the business where they are most needed.

Deportations/Removals

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been (a) removed and (b) deported from the United Kingdom in each of the last three years.

Des Browne: The available information is in the table.
	
		Persons removed from the United Kingdom, 2000 to 20021,2: United Kingdom  -- Number of persons
		
			  2000 2001 2002 
		
		
			 Total persons removed3,4 46,645 50,625 68,630 
			 
			 Of whom: removed as a result of   
			 Deportation action(87) 1,280 450 100 
		
	
	(83) Under sections 3(6), 3(7) or 33(1) of the Immigration Act 1971, or under section 10 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
	(84) Including persons departing 'voluntarily' after enforcement action had been initiated against them.
	(85) Includes dependants of asylum seekers removed from April 2001 onwards only. This information was not collected prior to this although figures up to March 2001 may include a small number of dependants of port principal asylum applicants removed.
	(86) Includes persons leaving under Assisted Voluntary Return Programmes run by the International Organisation for Migration.
	(87) Figures for 2001 and 2002 have been estimated. Deportation figures may be under-recorded in 1999 and 2000.
	The substantial reduction in the number of persons deported after October 2000 is due to a change in the categories of person liable to deportation. Under section 10 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, overstayers, persons who breach their conditions of stay, and persons who gain leave to remain by deception are administratively removed and deportation is now restricted to more serious cases.
	Information on all those removed from the UK in 2003, including the number of deportations, will be published in the Home Office Statistical Bulletin Control of Immigration Statistics UK 2003 which is due to be published at the end of August, and will be available from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate web site at http://www. homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Detention Centres

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for the   Home Department pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 30 April 2004, Official Report, columns 6364WS, on Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre, if he will ensure that the results of the investigation recommended by Mr. Shaw into two further allegations of assault are made public.

Des Browne: Stephen Shaw recommended that Global Solutions Ltd. (GSL) should investigate the allegations referred to and they will. GSL will report theoutcome to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and, for the sake of completeness, Stephen Shaw will be asked to review the investigation. I can confirm that the outcome will be made public.

Detention Centres

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints were made in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004 to date by those detained at Yarl's Wood about the escort service taking them to and from Yarl's Wood; how many are under investigation; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: The Monitor responsible for overseeing the contract which covers in-country escorting and holding rooms at ports received three complaints in 2003 and one so far in 2004 to date, from persons detained in Yarl's Wood. All complaints are subject to an investigation by the Monitor, none are currently under investigation.
	In the same period, there were no complaints regarding the contractors responsible for escorting persons on scheduled flights overseas, from persons detained at Yarl's Wood.

Detention Centres

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints about the activities of those escorting detainees to and from detention centres and detention and removal centres he has received; how many are being investigated; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: Since January 2003, there have been over 100,000 escorted movements. In this period there have been 78 complaints to the Monitor from detainees regarding the in-country escorting contract, which is responsible for movements of detainees from any location in the UK and supervision of detainees in the holding rooms at ports. All complaints are subject to investigation by the Monitor, at present 12 complaints are under investigation.
	In the same period there have been 22 complaints against the overseas escorting contractor, which has responsibility for escorting people on scheduled flights to their removal destinations.

Dirty Bombs

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to inform the general public of the precautions they must take to avoid contamination by a dirty bomb explosion; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what system is in place to alert the general public that a dirty bomb has exploded in an area in which they may become contaminated; and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: In the event of an attack, unless people are under the direction of the emergency services, they should go indoors and tune into the TV or radio for further instructions. The media is the main system through which the Government and the emergency services will alert the public. The message is 'go in, stay in, tune in'.
	As part of a deliberate strategy over the last 18 months, I have made sure that we have increased the information available to the public on how to prepare for and respond to emergencies. The Government will continue to do this and we are regularly reviewing the best way to keep the public informed.
	The main sources of advice for the general public and our partners are the Home Office, the MI5 and the UK Resilience websites, www.homeoffice.gov.uk/terrorism/, www.ukresilience.info/ and www.mi5.gov.uk/.

Drugs Misuse (Manchester)

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what public funds were spent on tackling drugs misuse in Manchester, Central in (a) 199798 and (b) 200203.

Caroline Flint: Breakdown of financial allocation to local constituencies is not available in the form requested as funding is allocated to Drug Action Team (DAT) area (Manchester DAT).
	The period 199798 pre-dates National Drug Strategy, during this time the local council and primary care trust allocated funding for tackling drug misuse. Accounting procedures mean that the 1997 figures are no longer available and that 1998 figures are not accessible by the DAT.
	In 200203 the total drugs allocation was 5,678,000. In order to ensure consistency figures supplied are based on funding streams associated with the National Drug Strategy and are readily verifiable. These funding streams are specifically targeted at tackling the harm caused to individuals, families and communities by the misuse of drugs. Other mainstream funding is made available at a local level, this varies both in amount and origin; as a result it is not possible to provide robust financial information.
	
		()
		
			  200203 
		
		
			 Partnership Capacity 77,000 
			 Adult Pooled Treatment Budget 3,389,000 
			 Pooled Treatment Budget (Young People element) 207,000 
			 Young People's Substance Misuse Planning Grant 80,000 
			 Communities against Drugs 710,000 
			 Street Crime Initiative (Drugs funding) 1,215,000 
			 Total 5,678,000

Early Retirement

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff in his Department took early retirement, and at what total cost, in the last financial year.

Fiona Mactaggart: Details of normal early retirements and their costs for the last financial year are shown in table 1. The table also shows the full cost to the Department to age 60.
	The Home Office also ran an additional scheme in 200304 using funds bid from Her Majesty's Treasury. The costs for that scheme and the staff numbers involved are contained in table 2.
	
		Table 1: Home Office early retirements 200304
		
			   
		
		
			 Number of staff 12 
			 Cost for year 200304 116,956 
			 Full cost to Department 621,965.98 
		
	
	
		Table 2: Home Office early retirements scheme200304
		
			   
		
		
			 Number of staff 67 
			 Cost for year 200304 4,638,139.97 
			 Full cost to Department 13,227,687.88

EU Enlargement

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passports belonging to former asylum seekers, since 1May EU citizens, are held by the Immigration and Nationality Service; when he expects that these documents will be returned to their owners; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: holding answer 13 May 2004
	Once a decision has been reached on an asylum seeker's application, their passport or identity card, where one has been submitted, is normally returned to them with the decision letter. An exception to this is when a passport or identity card is found to be a forgery or otherwise to have been tampered with.
	The numbers of such documents belonging to former asylum seekers who are now EU citizens is not recorded centrally and could only be obtained, at disproportionate cost, by examination of individual cases.

EU Enlargement

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what change there has been in the number of people claiming benefits since 1 May 2004.

Chris Pond: I have been asked to reply.
	The information is not available.
	Information on the number of people claiming benefits is available each quarter. Data for the quarter ending February 2004 will be published in June. Data for the quarter ending May 2004 will be available later this year.

Guantanamo Bay

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 22 April 2004, Official Report, column 592W, on Guantanamo Bay, whether MI5 officers at Guantanamo Bay raised with (a) his Department and (b) the US authorities the interrogation methods deployed by the US.

David Blunkett: holding answer 17 May 2004
	As explained in the earlier answer, these interviews were conducted as part of the Government's responsibility to   protect national security. The interviews were conducted on a voluntary basis. Officers carrying out the interviews were under an obligation to inform the relevant authorities of any complaints made by the detainees and of any concerns which they had.

Witness Protection

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of protection schemes for witnesses involved in gun crime cases.

Caroline Flint: The Home Office, in conjunction with the Scottish Executive, the Northern Ireland Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers, has appointed an independent consultant to carry out an assessment of   witness protection arrangements nationally. The assessment is covering all cases where witness protection is afforded by UK law enforcement agencies including the police. It will provide us with valuable information about the circumstances in which witness protection is provided, broken down by crime type, including offences where firearms have been used.
	The assessment commenced on 2 January; it was announced in the White Paper One Step Aheada 21st   century strategy to defeat organised crime which I published on 29 March. The assessment is due to be completed over the summer, and a final report will be available in the autumn.

Hazardous Consignments

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have to give particularly hazardous consignments a police escort in the Central London area.

Caroline Flint: We have introduced, in consultation with industry and the police, a Code of Practice for the transport security of dangerous goods. The Code is a pre-cursor to formal regulations due to come into effect from July 2005. The Code is supported by a guidance document and training video. These and other helpful materials are available via the Department for Transport's website, at www.dft.gsi.gov.uk.
	Decisions on whether a particular consignment should receive a police escort are a matter for chief officers of police, in central London the Metropolitan Police Commissioner. He informs me that a very limited number of particularly hazardous consignments do attract special security arrangements, such as a police escort, when being conveyed by road in the central London area.

Highly Skilled Migrants Programme

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many dentists have been accepted for entry to Britain (a) under the Highly Skilled Migrants Programme and (b) through work permits in the past year.

Des Browne: 28 Dentists were approved under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme and 131 through work permits during 2003.

Highly Skilled Migrants Programme

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many legal professionals were accepted for entry to Britain (a) under the Highly Skilled Migrants Programme and (b) through work permits in (i) 1995, (ii) 1998, (iii) 2001, (iv) 2002 and (v) 2003.

Des Browne: For the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme the information is not held centrally.
	For work permits, the records are only held centrally
	for 2001 onwards.
	In 2001971 applications were approved.
	In 2002693 applications were approved
	In 2003619 applications were approved.

Highly Skilled Migrants Programme

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time taken to process (a) work permits and (b) highly skilled migrant applications for appointments of junior doctors to health authorities was in the last year for which figures are available; what the average time taken was for all work permits; and how many junior doctor applicants were appointed to jobs in (a) Bolton North East, (b) the Greater Manchester area and (c) England.

Des Browne: The information requested on work permits and the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme is not held centrally in relation to occupation and location in the UK.
	In 2003 the processing times of work permits were 91 per cent. of all complete applications received were cleared in one day.

Home Office Documents

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures are followed in relation to highly sensitive documents leaving Home Office premises; and what guidance is issued on this matter to Home Office staff.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Home Office follows the national guidelines laid down in the Manual of Protective Security governing the protective marking of sensitive documents, as well as their storage and handling outside Home Office premises. These are set out in the Departmental Security Unit's Security Guidance, which confirms that all protectively marked documents should be carried securely in a twin-lock brief case, box or pouch and should remain at all times in the immediate possession of the officer concerned.

Identity Cards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the members of the Identity Cards Programme Board.

Des Browne: The members of the Identity Cards Programme Board are John Gieve (Permanent Secretary, Home Office and Programme Board Chair), Helen Edwards (Director General of Communities Group, Home Office, and Senior Responsible Owner), Bernard Herdan (United Kingdom Passport Service), Stephen Hickey (Department for Transport), Mark Fisher (Department for Work and Pensions), Bill Jeffrey (Home Office, Immigration and Nationality Directorate), Dennis Roberts (Office for National Statistics), Peter Unwin (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister), John Middleton (Inland Revenue) and Julian Kelly (HM Treasury).

Identity Cards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has carried out of the   prevalence in other common law countries of compulsory identity cards; and if he will list those countries that have such cards.

Des Browne: The Home Office carried out research into identity cards schemes in other countries. The results are in Entitlement Cards and Identity Fraud: A Consultation Paper. Within the EU Cyprus is a common law jurisdiction which has identity cards which all Cypriot citizens over the age of 12 have to obtain.

Identity Cards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the procedures being used to verify the identity of people taking part in the identity card pilot scheme.

Des Browne: The biometric enrolment pilot being run by United Kingdom Passport Service is not an identity cards pilot but rather intended to test the processes around, and user experience of biometric enrolment. Ascertaining the identities of the people taking part in the pilot is therefore much less important than ensuring that the people taking part form a representative cross-section of the UK population.

Identity Cards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the biometric information that will be collected and stored on the (a) National Identity Register and (b) identity card.

Des Browne: There has been no firm decision made on the biometric data which will be collected and which biometrics will be stored on the National Identity Register and which will be stored on the identity card.
	These decisions will be made in the light of work underway on the feasibility of different technologies and   the processes around identity enrolment and verification.
	The draft Identity Cards Bill makes provision for the recording of biometric information in the form of a head and shoulders photograph, fingerprints and data about a person's external characteristics including, in particular, the features of an iris or of any other part of the eye.

Identity Cards

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the iris has been selected as the basis for a biometric identifier.

Des Browne: Both retina and iris recognition were considered by the National Physical Laboratory in their   evaluation of biometric technologies. Retina recognition was found to be effective but difficult to use by a large number of people and too physically intrusive to be widely acceptable.
	It has not yet been decided that iris recognition will be used in the identity card scheme. The feasibility of using iris recognition for identity cards is under investigation.

Identity Cards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for the storage of health information on (a) blood group, (b) organ donor status and (c) HIV condition on the National Identity Register on (i) a voluntary and (ii) a compulsory basis.

Des Browne: Clause 1 of and Schedule 1 to the draft Identity Cards Bill published on 26 April set out what information could be held on the National Identity Register. In general the storage of medical information on the Register would not be allowed by the draft Bill as medical information does not fall within the definition of registerable facts as set out in the draft Bill. However the draft Bill does allow for the storage of voluntary information with the consent of both the person who is registered and the Secretary of State.

Identity Cards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the subsidy for the price charged for an identity card for those on low incomes will be funded.

Des Browne: The expectation is that when the scheme is established, running costs will be covered by charges for the application and issue of cards and for identity verification services provided by the scheme. Any subsidy for those on low incomes will therefore be funded by fee income.

Identity Cards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 29 April 2004, Official Report, columns 1299300W, on identity cards, if he will list the non-arrestable criminal offences, enforced by a summons, for which the police have powers of arrest where a person refuses to provide evidence of identity.

Des Browne: Where a constable has reasonable grounds for suspecting that any offence which is not an arrestable offence has been committed or attempted, or is being committed or attempted, he may arrest the relevant person if it appears to him that service of a summons is impracticable or inappropriate because any of the general arrest conditions are satisfied.
	Two of the general arrest conditions are:
	(a) that the name of the relevant person is unknown to, and cannot be readily ascertained by, the constable; and
	(b) that the constable has reasonable grounds for doubting whether a name furnished by the relevant person as his name is his real name.
	Non-arrestable offences are all those not covered by the categories set out in Section 24 (1) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) which states:
	The powers of summary arrest conferred by the following sub-sections shall apply :
	(a) to offences for which the sentence is fixed by law;
	(b) to offences for which a person of 21 years of age or over (not previously convicted) may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term of five years (or might be so sentenced but for the restrictions imposed by S 33 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980); and
	(c) to the offences listed in Schedule 1A
	and in this Act 'arrestable offence' means any such offence.
	The offences which are not covered by this section are too numerous to list and could be identified only and listed at disproportionate cost.

Identity Cards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 29 April 2004, Official Report, columns 1299300W, on identity cards, whether the police have powers to require a person to verify their identity other than those set out in his answer.

Des Browne: The Government have made it clear that it will not be a requirement to carry an identity card or to produce a card to a police officer on demand.
	Police powers in England and Wales to identify a person arrested for a recordable offence are contained in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984. The powers will be unaffected by the introduction of an identity card however the introduction of identity cards will make it much easier and simpler for people to prove their identity when they wish to do so. As at present with existing documents, people will be free to produce an identity card on a voluntary basis (if they have one) to a police officer or to any other official as a means of establishing their identity.
	The draft Identity Cards Bill published on 26 April also includes a power in clause 24 for information relating to a biometric to be disclosed if it is not reasonably practical for the person to whom this is disclosed to have obtained this information by other means. This means that if it were not possible to identify an arrested person by other means, for example by checking police records, a check could be made on the person's biometric against the National Identity Register.
	In addition to powers under PACE, powers under s 41 (1) Terrorism Act 2000 allow a constable to arrest without a warrant a person whom he reasonably suspects to be a terrorist, which is defined in s 40. In this case, powers under Schedule 8, paragraph 2 permit an authorised person to take any steps which are reasonably necessary for photographing, measuring or identifying a person detained under s 41. Again, these powers will be unaffected by the introduction of an identity card but again a power is available under the draft Identity Cards Bill that would allow a check of a biometric of a person detained under this section if it were not reasonably practical for this information to be obtained by another means.

Identity Cards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether an individual's unique learner number will be recorded in the National Identity Register under the proposal in the draft Identity Cards Bill.

Des Browne: Schedule 1 to the draft Identity Cards Bill published on 26 April sets out what information may be held on the National Identity Register including the personal reference numbers that may be recorded in any individual's entry. Schedule 1 does not include the   unique learner number. Clause 3(4) does allow the Secretary of State to modify Schedule 1 and the information that may be held on the Register. However, any changes must be agreed by Parliament and be consistent with the statutory purposes of the scheme.

Identity Cards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what categories of people resident in the UK for three months or more will not be eligible for the identity card proposed under the draft Identity Cards Bill.

Des Browne: Under Clause 2 of the draft Identity Cards Bill, all individuals over the age of 16 who are residing in the UK for longer than a prescribed period, proposed to be three months, are eligible to be entered in the National Identity Register and thereby obtain an identity card.

Identity Cards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information will be (a) printed on the face of and (b) held but not shown on (i) the identity card proposed under the draft Identity Cards Bill, (ii)   the proposed biometric passport and (iii) the proposed biometric driving licence.

Des Browne: The UK Passport Service is planning to implement a facial recognition image biometric in the British passport booklet during 2005. No additional data other than the digital signature which locks the data on to the chip will be held but not shown on the bio-data page of the passport.
	There has been no firm decision made on the information which will be printed on the face of the identity card and which will be held but not shown on the card. These decisions will be made in the light of work under way on the feasibility of different technologies and   analysis with key user groups of the business requirements of the scheme. These arrangements must be approved by Parliament and no information may be held unless it is required for the statutory purposes of the scheme as set out in the primary legislation.
	The passport and driving licence may be designated as identity cards under the draft Identity Cards Bill. In which case these documents may require certain additional information to be included in or on the face of the document which reflects the common standards of the identity cards family. However, as set out above no firm decisions have yet been made on what these will be.

Identity Cards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the names of people who have not applied for identity cards will be recorded on the National Identity Register (a) before and (b) after the card becomes compulsory; and whether the names of certain categories of individuals who have not applied for identity cards will be recorded.

Des Browne: The National Identity Register will hold information about those people who have registered and been issued with an identity card. Entries will be created as people apply for identity cards. There is no intention to record on the Register the names of people who have not yet applied for identity cards although the final decision will be made following the detailed design phase.
	Clause 2(4) of the draft Identity Cards Bill does provide that in some circumstances, a person who has not applied may be entered into the Register. For example, a failed asylum seeker who has not applied for an identity card but whose information was available may be entered on the Register so that if he applies to stay in the UK again using a different identity, his previous status as a failed asylum seeker will have been recorded.

Identity Cards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which private sector databases will be used to check identities under proposals contained in the draft Identity Card Bill.

Des Browne: Identity Cards: the Next Steps (CM 6020) made clear that applications for one of the family of identity cards will require checks to be made against other databases to help establish that an application for a card is genuine. Data-sharing gateways established for this purpose will be used only when processing applications for cards or related purposes (e.g. when issuing a replacement) and do not confer any general power to share data for wider purposes.
	This approach to identity verification follows proposals included in the Cabinet Office study on Identity fraud (published in July 2002) which recommended greater use of biographical checks on applicants for passports and driving licences. The most   effective way of confirming this biographical information is to check some of the information provided by applicants with information held on a range of Government and private sector databases. These checks could for example confirm that a person had been known by a certain identity and lived at known addresses for a number of years.
	The databases that could be checked would include public sector bodies (such as the National Insurance or   Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) databases) as well as private sector organisations (such as credit reference agencies or banks) but it is at this stage too early to know precisely which databases would be checked.
	Information requested would be restricted to that needed to confirm the identity of an individual who has made an application to register. Clause 11 (1) and (2) of the draft Identity Cards Bill published on 26 April places a duty on a person to provide information to the Secretary of State or a designated documents authority for the purposes of verifying an individual's entry to the Register. Clause 11 (4) sets out that the requirement may be imposed on any person specified in an order subject to the affirmative resolution procedure. This means that particular gateways could be established only with the consent of Parliament and for the limited purpose of validating information on the Register.

Identity Cards

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list his Department's services which will have access to the National Identity Register without being named on the face of the Draft Identity Cards Bill.

Des Browne: Proposals to permit information held on the National Identity Register to be disclosed without an individual's consent are set out in Legislation on Identity Cards: A Consultation [CM6178] published on 26 April.
	Clause 20(5) of the draft Identity Cards Bill published on 26 April will permit disclosure of information that does not fall within paragraph 9 of Schedule 1 (access records) if it is made to a prescribed officer of the Secretary of State's department in order to carry out prescribed functions of the Secretary of State. Disclosure of information held in paragraph 9 will be permitted if it is made for purposes connected with the prevention or detection of serious crime and it is authorised under s20 (3) to (6).
	Clause 20(5) will allow for disclosure of information held on the National Identity Register to other parts of Government which are the responsibility of a Secretary of State e.g. the Department of Work and Pensions, and will also include disclosure to parts of the Home Office such as the Immigration and Nationality Department (IND), subject to Parliament's consent.
	At this stage, it is not possible to list the Home Department's services that may require information from the National Identity Register. In assessing whether a departmental service should be granted disclosure, we will look closely at the justification for this information. Disclosure will only be allowed to specified persons for specified purposes, Parliament's consent will be required and the disclosure arrangements will be subject to proper authorisation procedures with independent oversight.

Identity Cards

Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he conducted on the impact of identity theft in countries where identity cards have been introduced.

Des Browne: Home Office officials have had detailed discussions with colleagues involved in the operation of identity card schemes in Italy, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands and comprehensive information has been supplied by each of the EU member states on the operation of their card schemes. Home Office officials have also liaised with colleagues involved in the operation of card schemes in Singapore and Japan and with officials in countries such as Canada, USA and Australia that do not have card schemes on emerging crime trends.
	Many card schemes were developed with specific aims and objectives such as population registration and not specifically implemented for countering identity fraud. As such, many identity cards are issued locally after checking available information, for example, birth certificates and information relating to an applicant's parents. In many countries it is not necessary to give biometric information when applying for an identity card.
	Identity Cards: The Next Steps (CM 6020) states that applications for one of the family of identity cards will require checks against other databases. These checks would confirm that a person had been known by a certain identity and lived at known addresses for a number of years. This information is more difficult to forge than birth certificates or other similar documents and follows recommendations in Identity Fraud: A Study conducted by the Cabinet Office and published in 2002.
	Many card schemes in other countries were implemented some time ago and use mainly paper cards, which do not hold biometric data. With the passage of time, there is an increasing risk that fraudsters could obtain access to modern printing technology and use it to produce forged paper cards for the purpose of committing identity fraud. The absence of a central electronic identity register in many countries increases the risks because an identity card (or biometric data) cannot be checked against a centrally held record of that information. Organisations checking a card are therefore able only to make visual checks, for example, to check that the photograph on an identity card looks like the person presenting the card and to check for obvious signs of tampering with the card itself.
	In Identity Cards: The Next Steps the Government stated that the National Identity Register will link each individual record to a biometric. This will help to prevent multiple identities from being established and allow organisations to check a card at a level appropriate for the service they are providing.
	While a modern and effective card scheme would help to combat identity fraud, it does not mean that every card scheme, especially those that have been implemented some time ago, would have a similar or significant effect on countering this type of crime unless they have been regularly updated to stay one step ahead of fraudsters. It is therefore not possible to assess the effect that other card schemes have had on identity fraud.

Identity Cards

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of adults whose details will appear on the National Identity Register by 2013.

Des Browne: We would expect that by 2013, 80 per cent. of the economically active population would be entered on the National Identity Register and therefore have an identity card. The latest figures (relating to December 2003 to February 2004) show that there are currently 29.756 million economically active people aged 16 and over in the United Kingdom, 80 per cent. of which is around 23.8 million people.

Immigration

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his review into whether all immigrants should be tested for HIV upon entry into the United Kingdom; and when the review will be completed.

Des Browne: holding answer 18 May 2004
	I refer the hon. Member to the response given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Public Health on 8 March 2004, Official Report, column 1334W.

Immigration

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals have been (a) refused permission to board and (b) arrested by UK authorities for (i) immigration offences and (ii) other offences following checks by French immigration staff on passengers boarding ferries at Dover; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: Since the implementation of the juxtaposed controls at Dover and Calais on 1 February 2004 the Police aux Frontieres (French authorities) have operated an immigration control in Dover.
	The information requested is not currently published and would therefore not normally be released.

Immigration

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the longest unresolved immigration case being dealt with by his Department is; when the person concerned in this case first arrived in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: Information on individual decisions, up to and including the outcome of all potential appeals, is not readily available and could be obtained only by examination of individual case files. This would incur disproportionate cost.

Immigration

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many arrests for immigration offences there were in each of the last five years in each (a) police force area and (b) local authority, broken down by (i) month and (ii) offence.

Des Browne: Information collected centrally is based on persons arrested for 'notifiable' offences within main offence groups only, and as such it does not separately identify immigration offences in the Other offence group within which they fall.

Justice and Home Affairs Council

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the outcome was of the Justice and Home Affairs Council held on 29 to 30 April 2004; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: I represented the United Kingdom at   the Justice and Home Affairs Council held in Luxembourg on 29 April 2004. Good progress was made on a number of issues and the Council finished a day early.
	Firstly, subject to Member States' parliamentary scrutiny reserves, including the UK's, and completion of the certificate that will accompany the Framework Decision, Ministers reached a general approach on the Framework Decision on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to confiscation orders.
	The Eurojust President, Mike Kennedy, then presented the Eurojust Annual Report for 2003 noting, in particular, that there had been a 50 per cent. increase in cases referred to Eurojust compared to the previous year. The Commission indicated that it planned to publish its report on Member States' implementation of the Council Decision establishing Eurojust by the end of June. Ministers then agreed Council conclusions noting the report and requesting the Presidency to report to the Council with recommendations for further enhancing the role of Eurojust.
	The Presidency reported on progress in meeting the European Council conclusions on counter terrorism, but acknowledged that much remained to be done. It was therefore preparing a comprehensive roadmap on implementation of the counter terrorism strategy, indicating the body or group responsible for each action and deadlines for completion.
	The Commission said that it was preparing Communications on practical measures for the exchange of information and on the interoperability of data in the field of visas and border management. It also wanted to bring forward proposals for allowing Schengen Information System data on lost and stolen passports to be sent to Europol. In order to launch the invitation to tender in September the Commission recommended adoption of the Council Decision establishing the Visa Information System.
	I presented an initiative on the retention of telecommunications traffic data and explained why the UK believes that a common EU approach to the retention of this data is essential. I outlined some of our practical experience of investigations and prosecutions which had depended on such data to establish the link between the suspects and offences in question.
	The EU counter-terrorism coordinator welcomed the progress made and suggested that work now needed to focus on practical action and implementation of agreed legislation.
	The Council was unable to secure the required unanimity on the decision as to who should be appointed as the new Europol Director. The Presidency therefore concluded that the Council would need to return to the issue in June. In the meantime the Europol Management Board would need to consider whether interim arrangements would need to be put in place pending a final decision.
	Discussion on the draft Asylum Procedures Directive focussed on the application of the safe third (i.e. non EU) country concept (Articles 27 and 35A).
	I made clear that the UK would not accept anything which would prevent us from pursuing the approach in the Asylum and Immigration (treatment of claims etc.) Bill whereby an applicant who has transited a safe third country before coming to the UK may only challenge his removal on ECHR grounds. One other Member State initially felt that consideration should be given to all aspects of an applicant's claim. However, following discussion with them, the Presidency and the Commission, a compromise strengthening the wording on individual consideration and guaranteeing as a minimum that the applicant could bring a challenge on the ECHR elements in his claim was agreed.
	It was also agreed, in relation to Article 35A, which sets out what may happen when an asylum applicant enters a Member State from a bordering country designated as safe, that Member States' national lists of these safe third countries would expire once a common EU list was in place.
	All other reservations, apart from four parliamentary scrutiny reservations, including the UK's, were lifted from the text and the Council reached a General Approach, pending submission of the draft Directive to the European Parliament for re-consultation. This is a good result for the UK as the draft Directive will allow us to maintain all significant elements of our domestic asylum procedures.
	It was also agreed, in relation to Article 35A, which sets out what may happen when an asylum applicant enters a Member State from a bordering country designated as safe, that Member States' national lists of these safe third countries would expire once a common EU list was in place.
	All other reservations, apart from four parliamentary scrutiny reservations, including the UK's, were lifted from the text and the Council reached a General Approach, pending submission of the draft Directive to the European Parliament for re-consultation. This is a good result for the UK as the draft Directive will allow us to maintain all significant elements of our domestic asylum procedures.
	The Council also agreed a Minutes Statement, placing Bulgaria and Romania on a common minimum EU list of safe countries of origin and committing the Council to complete work on the definitive list of such countries prior to re-consulting the European Parliament.
	Under Any Other Business the Commission confirmed that it had been in discussions with key third countries about visa requirements for the new Member States and that it would be presenting a proposal to facilitate the procedures relating to short stay visas in relation to EU and Russian citizens.
	Finally, I have placed in the Libraries of both Houses a copy of the list of A points which, with the exception of item 25, were approved (see documents 8847/04 PTS A 19 and ADD 1). This included item 20 on the Obligation of Carriers to Communicate Passenger Data. The UK believes that this will be a useful tool in helping to tackle terrorism and organised crime and we therefore supported the European Council Declaration on Terrorism calling for its adoption. However, as a Member State initiative, it would have fallen if not agreed before 1 May 2004 and, regrettably, I therefore felt unable to block its adoption despite it being held under scrutiny in the House of Lords.

Marsham Street

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons additional funding is necessary for works on Marsham Street; and how this money will be used.

Fiona Mactaggart: When the contract between the Home Office and Anne's Gate Property (AGP) for 2 Marsham street was signed, it was recognised that changes to the original specification were likely to be required during the contract periodin particular for security, information communication technology (ICT) cabling and external design. It was not at the time possible to determine precisely what those changes might be, and the contract therefore made provision for a further 11 million to be raised via a Variation Bond.
	The final scope of the changes, and their cost, is still being determined. They will, however, include security and business continuity enhancements to provide greater protection and resilience; enhancements to the design to support the Government's Better Public Buildings initiative; compliance with the latest standard of ICT cabling; internal changes to better meet business requirements; and some spend to save investments in energy efficiency, internal communications services and the provision of electronic rather than manual IT switching. The Home Office has made provision for a contribution of 2 million towards the cost of the additional works.

Bernice Wiarimu Kamau

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total cost was of removing Ms Bernice Wairimu Kamau to Nairobi, broken down by each itemised cost associated with the removal.

Des Browne: holding answer 13 May 2004
	Information held by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) relating to individuals is confidential and it is not our policy to disclose it.
	Any attempt to calculate the cost of removal on individual cases would need to take into account a large number of factors and this could only be done at disproportionate cost.

Neighbourhood Watch

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that public liability cover for local neighbourhood watch districts will be guaranteed if the National Neighbourhood Watch organisation goes into liquidation.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 14 May 2004
	Neighbourhood Watch Schemes are important partnerships between communities, the police and local authorities, and they will continue to have our support.
	If the need arises we will take steps to safeguard existing arrangements for local organisations.

Parliamentary Questions

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the question tabled by the hon. Member for Hertsmere on 23 April 2004, reference 168914.

Des Browne: holding answer 11 May 2004
	I replied to the hon. Member on 10 May 2004.

Parliamentary Questions

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will provide a substantive reply to the question tabled by the hon. Member for Faversham and Mid Kent, ref 168371, on processing of seasonal agricultural workers scheme visas from Romania and Bulgaria.

Des Browne: holding answer 13 May 2004
	I replied to the hon. Member on 30 April 2004. The PQ reference number relating to the processing of seasonal agricultural workers scheme visas from Romania and Bulgaria is 168377 and not 168371 as shown above.

Passports

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which (a) private companies and (b) Government Departments have taken part in the UK Passport Service's Personal Identification Project; which databases were used in the exercise; and how the scheme is being evaluated.

Des Browne: Two private companies have been involved in the trials. These are Experian in 2001 and Equifax from 2002 to date. The databases used are:
	Electoral roll
	County court data within the public domain
	Linked addresses (Equifax)
	Date of birth validation (Equifax)
	Previous searches (Equifax)
	INSIGHT for ID verification (Equifax)
	Thompson Data (Business telephone directory)
	Companies House data
	BAGS
	BT 192 Database.
	Three Government Departments are working with the UK Passport Service in this project:
	DVLA to verify driving licence details submitted against current records held on the drivers record;
	DWP to verify national insurance numbers submitted against current DWP records;
	IND to verify Naturalisation Certificates submitted against lists of valid certificates.
	No data is returned from these systems, only confirmation of the accuracy of data supplied.
	The current trials are assessing the potential benefits to applicants and UKPS in terms of customer service against security of identity. Statistics are being gathered to show the impact in both these areas.

Passports

Robert Wareing: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passports have been lost or mislaid by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate since 31 January; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: holding answer 17 May 2004
	For the period 1 February 2004 to 30 April 2004, a total of 169 letters have been issued for passports reported lost or mislaid in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. For the same period last year, 185 letters were issued. This represents a drop of 9 per cent..

People Trafficking

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions have taken place with European Union countries regarding the issue of people trafficking into Europe.

Des Browne: The UK is working with EU partners and countries beyond the borders of the EU to combat the trafficking of people.
	The UK participated fully in the drafting of the EU framework decision on trafficking and has been involved in discussions at EU level on provisions within this and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons which supplements the United Nations Convention against Trans-National Organised Crime. We are currently involved with, and in discussion with EU partners about, the drafting of a Council of Europe Convention on trafficking.
	Through Reflex, the NCS chaired multi-agency taskforce on organised immigration crime, the UK continues to discuss and work in partnership with other EU countries and organisations such as Europol and Eurojust to take effective enforcement action against trafficking.
	Building relationships with international partners is an important element of the UK strategy to combat trafficking. The UK has successfully bid for a twinning project under the EU Phare scheme in the Czech Republic. The aims of the project are to strengthen the fight against trafficking into and through the Czech Republic. This will be run in partnership with the Czech Republic and the Netherlands and is due to be launched in June 2004.

Prisons

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners were held in prisons in England and Wales for drug-related offences in each of the last five years, broken down by class of drug.

Paul Goggins: On 30 November 2003 there were 11,777 persons held in Prison Service establishments in England and Wales, under sentence or on remand, for drugs offences. Equivalent figures for each of the last five years can be found in tables 1.5 and 2.8 of the publication 'Prison Statistics England and Wales'. A copy of this publication is available in the House of Commons Library.
	The number of prisoners held under sentence in Prison Service establishments for drugs offences in 1999 and 2000, broken down by type of drug, is given in the table. Information for later years is not yet available.
	
		Table 3.11 Persons under sentence in Prison Service establishments(88) for drug offences on 30June: by principal drugs offence(89), type of controlled drug and year, England and Wales
		
			   Estimated number of persons(90) 
			   2000 
			 Type of drug 1999 Male Female All persons 
		
		
			 Cocaine 1,400 1,000 300 1,350 
			 Crack 250 300 0 350 
			 Heroin 2,750 2,900 400 3,300 
			 LSD 100 50 0 50 
			 Ecstasy-type 650 800 50 900 
			 Methadone 50 50 0 50 
			 Amphetamines 500 300 0 300 
			 Cannabis 1,650 1,200 100 1,300 
			 Other drugs 950 900 50 950 
			 All drugs 8,150 7,500 950 8,450 
		
	
	(88) Excluding persons committed in default of payment of a fine.
	(89) In the case of offenders with two or more sentences of immediate custody the offender is shown against the longest one which is the principal drugs offence.
	(90) Total number of persons under sentence in prison offences by type of drug offence and average time spent under sentence provided by Prison Statistics. Breakdown by type of drug estimated from drug offenders sentenced to immediate custody by sentence length. Figures rounded to nearest 50.

Prisons

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisons were operating at greater than their certified normal accommodation rate in each of the last 10 years.

Paul Goggins: I will write to the right hon. Member.

Probation Service

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the additional probation staff employed since December 1999 are trainee probation officers; and what their average caseload is.

Paul Goggins: There have been 3,646 trainee probation officers appointed since 1998, and there are 780 projected trainee officer appointees for 2004.
	It is not possible to calculate the average caseload of a trainee because this varies significantly during the two-year programme, according to their stage of training.
	Trainee probation officers are classified as supernumerary to the workforce, which means that they do not form part of the establishment for casework purposes. During their training they undertake the amount and type of cases appropriate to their experience and knowledge and identified development needs. Their casework contribution is therefore incidental to meeting their training needs.
	The information previously collected and held on starters and leavers to the service is very limited in terms of the analysis that can be performed against it. With this in mind, since 1999, the number of probation staff 1  (senior probation officers, senior practitioners, probation officers, trainee probation officers and probation services officers), employed by the National Probation Service has increased by 3,089 full-time equivalents, which equates to a growth of 31.9 per cent. The proportion of this, which can be broadly attributed to growth among qualified probation staff, is 12.5 per cent. with the remainder being a growth in probation services officers.
	1  These figures exclude staff employed in family Court Welfare in 1999 and 2000, as these were subsequently transferred in 2001.

Commission for Racial Equality

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what involvement his Department has had in the allocation of Commission for Racial Equality section 44 funding for 200405.

Fiona Mactaggart: holding answer 13 May 2004
	The responsibility for setting criteria for section 44 funding, assessing applications against those criteria and making final decisions lies with the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE). The Home Office role is to agree the level of funding which the CRE proposes to allocate. We welcome the CRE's policy of using the Getting Results programme to support any innovative project which makes a difference to race equality and good relations within its local community.

Road Safety

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many speeding fines were issued in Essex in (a) 2001 and (b) 2002;
	(2)  how many speeding fines were paid by motorists in   Essex in (a) 2001 and (b) 2002; and how many speeding offences were detected in Essex in (i) 2001 and (ii) 2002.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 21 May 2004
	Available information showing the total number of police disposals and court proceedings for speeding offences within Essex police force area for 2001 and 2002 are given in the tables.
	Information on the number of fixed penalties or fines paid for speeding offences is not collected centrally.
	
		Table A: Fines and fixed penalties data for speeding offences(91), Essex, 2001 and 2002 -- Number of offences
		
			  2001 2002 
		
		
			 Court proceedings fines issued 9,131 14,570 
			 Fixed penalty notices issued 168,885 199,201 
		
	
	(91) Offences under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits on Motorways) Regulations 1973.
	
		Table B: Speeding offences(92) detected by type of action, Essex, 2001 and 2002 -- Number of offences
		
			 Type of action 2001 2002 
		
		
			 Court proceedings total findings of guilt 9,208 14,660 
			 Fixed penalty notices issued 168,885 199,201 
			 Written warnings issued 49  
			 Total 178,142 213,861 
		
	
	(92) Offences under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits on Motorways) Regulations 1973.

Sexual Offences

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many foreign nationals convicted by courts in the United Kingdom of being involved in the trafficking to and within the United Kingdom of women and children for sexual purposes have been sent to prison and upon their release have been, or will be, deported from the United Kingdom in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many (a) male and (b) female foreign nationals convicted by courts in the United Kingdom of sexual offences and sent to prison have been deported on   their release from prison in each of the last five years.

Des Browne: Information on the nationality of offenders convicted in the UK and on offenders deported following their release from prison is not collected centrally and would be available only at disproportionate cost.
	A person convicted of a criminal offence may be recommended for deportation by the court which has the power to sentence him. The Secretary of State also has the power to consider a person for deportation on conducive grounds. However, we would not seek to deport a person who had an outstanding claim for asylum.

Departmental Expenditure (Sittingbourne and Sheppey)

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for the   Home Department what the expenditure of his Department in the constituency of Sittingbourne and Sheppey was between (a) 1992 and 1997, (b) 1997 and 2001 and (c) 2001 and 2004.

Fiona Mactaggart: The information is as follows:
	Funding for Kent police
	Grants for policing are not hypothecated to individual areas such as Sittingbourne and Sheppey. Grants are allocated to Kent police as a whole and it is for the Chief Constable to decide how best to deploy the resources across the force area.
	Police grant distribution has been formula-based since 199596. Prior to that, grant was based on a proportion of forces' net expenditure.
	Home Office police grant is one element only of the total general police grant forces received. Revenue Support Grant and National Non Domestic Rates make up the total of the general grant. These have not been included in the answer as they are administered by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM).
	In line with all forces in England and Wales, Kent police will receive a general grants increase of 3.25 per cent. next year. Their allocation is 182.6 million. Kent is one of the shire forces who benefit most from this arrangement. If the formula alone had been applied, they would have received 167.9 million. Because a floor of 3.25 per cent. on top of last year's grant was given, they will in fact receive 182.6 million, 14.7 million more.
	In addition, funding is provided to forces for a number of specific programmes such as the Crime Fighting Fund, to assist the recruitment of extra police officers, and the Rural Policing Fund, to enhance policing in areas with the most widespread populations.
	Active Community Unit grant
	For the past three years via our mentoring programme the Home Office has been providing financial support to mentoring organisations throughout England. Home-Start Sittingbourne and Sheppey successfully bid for three years project funding under the Active Community Unit's Mentoring Fund in 200102. The project helps those families experiencing difficulties and breakdown. The organisation received revenue grants of 6,219 in 200102, 12,715 in 200203 and 13,034 in 200304. The organisation also received a one-off capital grant of 2,682 in 200203 to buy equipment to support the project. Home Office funding has (finished in March 2004) now ceased.
	
		
		
			  Police grant (HO only) Capital grant 1 Crime Fighting Fund Rural Policing Fund DNA Expansion Programme Airwave 
		
		
			 199293 68,815,000 2,491,000 
			 199394 71,825,000 2,404,000 
			 199495 76,008,000 2,574,000 
			 199596 78,591,413 3,481,000 
			 199697 82,321,694 4,803,000 
			 199798 84,673,351 4,476,000 
			 199899 91,724,083 2,263,000 
			 19992000 92,098,019 1,853,000 
			 200001 96,482,918 1,503,000 1,347,740 298,863 655,232  
			 200102 102,643,758 2,003,000 4,505,000 599,342 1,283,474  
			 200203 102,446,510 2,680,000 6,190,000 599,700 1,533,389  
			 200304 106,107,422 3,372,000 7,270,500 595,161 1,494,810 7,153,000 
			 200405 105,806,169 2,684,000 7,633,906 594,228 1,051,206 1,483,000 
		
	
	
		
		
			  Basic Command Unit Fund Community Support Officers Special Priority Payments South East Allowance Total 
		
		
			 199293 71,306,000 
			 199394 74,229,000 
			 199495 78,582,000 
			 199596 82,072,413 
			 199697 87,124,694 
			 199798 89,149,351 
			 199899 93,987,083 
			 19992000 93,951,019 
			 200001 100,287,753 
			 2001021,483,554 112,518,128 
			 200203  264,418  1,719,156 115,433,173 
			 200304 1,051,206 871,426 992,100 2,200,000 131,107,625 
			 200405 1,051,206 (94)871,426 (94)992,100 (94)3,125,375 125,292,616 
		
	
	(93) Capital grant figures prior to 200001 include an element of grant specifically for major capital schemes under the Priority Planning List scheme. Figures include Premises Improvement Fund allocations (500,000 in 200203 and 1 million in 200304). Figures exclude revenue support for capital provided by ODPM and Supplementary Credit Approvals/Supported Capital Expenditure.
	(94) Estimated figures for 200405. Subject to change.
	Sources of police grant data:
	1. 199293 to 199495 figuresCIPFA Police Statistics.
	2. 199596 to 200405 figuresPolice Grant Reports.

Terrorism

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with (a) the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and (b) police authorities on a strategy to combat illegal access to fertilisers to prevent use by terrorists.

David Blunkett: Policy on protective and preventative security measures to counter the threat of terrorism is directed by a ministerial group which I chair. I would also refer to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Rural Affairs and Local Environmental Quality on 27 April 2004, Official Report, column 857W.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Advisers/Consultants

Bob Spink: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much his Department and its agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent on external consultants and advisers each year since its creation.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created in May 2002. In the two years since then the spend on external consultants and advisers for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, its agencies and the non-departmental public bodies are as follows:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister  
			 200203 76,000,000 
			 200304 47,000,000 
			   
			 The Executive agencies and NDPBs  
			 200203 5,356,822 
			 200304 6,305,906 
		
	
	The above figures do not include the Audit Commission, as its expenditure is an operational matter. I will ask the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

Antisocial Behaviour

Paul Goodman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what responsibilities housing associations have to (a) monitor and (b) control antisocial behaviour by tenants in their properties.

Keith Hill: The Government do not believe that placing a statutory duty on housing associations to act on antisocial behaviour is the best way forward. To do so would risk the danger of landlords being endlessly caught up in long and expensive court cases to establish whether any action taken by the landlord met the statutory requirement. This would not help in tackling the problem.
	The Government have amended the Housing Act 1996, through the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003, to place a duty on all social landlords to publish policies and procedures on tackling antisocial behaviour. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is consulting on statutory guidance at the moment; this guidance contains a section on monitoring.

Early Retirement

Bob Spink: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how   many employees in his Department took early retirement in the last financial year; and at what total cost.

Yvette Cooper: The number of employees who took early retirement from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, its agencies and the Government office network in the last financial year was 16, at a cost of 2.8 million.

East of England Regional Assembly

Alistair Burt: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) letters and (b) other representations he has received from individuals in support of an elected East of England Regional Assembly.

Nick Raynsford: Between 2 December 2002 and 18 May 2004 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has received 79 e-mails and letters from individuals and organisations in connection with the White Paper Your Region, Your Choice relating to an elected regional assembly for the Eastern region. One individual and one parish council expressed support for an elected regional assembly for the Eastern region. 43 correspondents opposed the idea. The remainder of the inquirers either did not express a definite opinion or were merely seeking information. In the light of this response, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not proposed a referendum in the Eastern region on an Elected Regional Assembly.

Fire Service

Martin Caton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  when he expects personnel in the fire services who respond to emergencies to be provided with insurance cover for terrorist incidents;
	(2)  what action he is taking to ensure that personnel in all fire services who respond to emergencies are provided with insurance cover for terrorist incidents.

Nick Raynsford: There are provisions within the Firefighters' Pension Scheme and Conditions of Service which provide for awards in the event of death or injury either occurring in, or as a result of, the exercise of duty.
	Employer liability insurance is a matter for fire and rescue authorities who have a duty as employers to ensure that the necessary cover is provided.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has had discussions with the Association of British Insurers regarding private insurance arrangements entered into by individual firefighters to determine the extent of any problem about life insurance policies. I understand that in the case of most life insurance policies there are no terrorist exclusions although individuals should check their policies.
	Where occupation is a determinant of risk I understand that there should be no increase in premiums.

Housing (North East Lincolnshire)

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what residual housing costs will fall on North East Lincolnshire Council's general fund following the transfer of housing stock; and what further public consultation will take place on the effects of the changes.

Keith Hill: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is working with North East Lincolnshire Council to identify and manage the residual housing costs and the actions that the Council will take to manage this. It is usual for such costs to be finalised during the period between ballot and transfer.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister understands that the Council intends to embark on a series of newsletters, letters to tenants and probably a formal consultation process specifically around the capital improvement programme.

Local Authority Officers

Nigel Jones: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister under what circumstances councillors who have made inappropriate appointments of council officers may be   surcharged for (a) salary costs, (b) legal costs and   (c) medical costs incurred because of the appointments.

Nick Raynsford: The Local Government Act 2000, which provided for the establishment of the Standards Board for England and the new regime for handling allegations of misconduct by councillors, repealed the powers to surcharge councillors.

Local Authority Officers

Nigel Jones: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether a local authority has the power to reallocate the duties of a returning officer for local elections when the current returning officer is one of the authority's statutory officers and a designated independent person has been appointed under the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) Regulations 2001 to investigate allegations of misconduct by that statutory officer.

Nick Raynsford: Pursuant to section 35(1) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 non- metropolitan county councils have the power to appoint a returning officer for local elections of councillors of the county, and district councils have the power to appoint a returning officer for elections of councillors of the district and a returning officer for elections of councillors of parishes within the district.
	The precise terms of the returning officer's appointment are a matter for the local authority.

Local Government Finance

Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what   the total central funding for local government was   in each of the last 25 years, expressed at today's prices.

Nick Raynsford: The total central funding for local government for the period 198182 to 200304, expressed at 200304 prices, appears in the table.
	
		
			 Year  million 
		
		
			 198182 26,462 
			 198283 25,400 
			 198384 24,906 
			 198485 24,527 
			 198586 22,837 
			 198687 22,575 
			 198788 22,762 
			 198889 22,078 
			 198990 21,063 
			 199091 33,821 
			 199192 42,364 
			 199293 43,986 
			 199394 42,814 
			 199495 43,588 
			 199596 42,755 
			 199697 42,580 
			 199798 41,676 
			 199899 42,707 
			 19992000 44,233 
			 200001 47,131 
			 200102 49,537 
			 200203 50,654 
			 200304 53,135 
		
	
	The data are taken from the RS (outturn) forms for all years except 200304, when the data are taken from the RA (budget) form. The forms are completed each year by individual local authorities.
	For the period 198182 to 198990 non-domestic rates were collected and retained locally. As such, they are not regarded as a central government grant. However, from 199091 onwards non-domestic rates were collected locally, pooled on a national basis and redistributed by central Government to each authority from the non-domestic pool. Consequently, figures for non-domestic rates from 199091 have been included above. From 199394 onwards the non-domestic rates figure includes City offset.
	The figures have been revalued for previous years at 200304 prices using the current Her Majesty's Treasury GDP deflators.

Planning (North Devon)

Nick Harvey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he will decide whether to call in planning application no. 31760 (Anchorwood Bank, Barnstaple) to North Devon district council; and in doing so, what account he   will take of the area's housing and employment needs.

Keith Hill: The application was formally referred to the Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister by North Devon district council as it represents a Departure from the Development Plan for the area. A decision will be made in due course.
	The hon. Member for North Devon can rest assured that all material for planning considerations will be taken into account in the consideration of the application.

Show People

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, 
	(1)  on what basis a site may be ruled inappropriate for locating show people by his Department;
	(2)  what definition his Department uses of a realistic assessment of the amount of accommodation required in relation to identifying sites for show people;
	(3)  what account of the rights of local residents (a) his Department and (b) local planning authorities take in identifying appropriate sites for winter quarters for show people; and what weight is attached to the (i) appropriateness of the site, (ii) suitability of the location, (iii) availability and adequacy of vehicular access and (iv) availability of existing locations in taking such decisions.

Keith Hill: All applications for planning permission are decided on their individual merits with reference to the local authority's development plan for the area and other material considerations including national planning policy guidance. The Government's advice to local planning authorities on travelling showpeople is contained in Circular 22/91 'Travelling Showpeople'.

Social Housing

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many non-decent social homes there are;   how many there were in 1997; and what funds he   has allocated to reducing the numbers in future years.

Keith Hill: In 1997 there were 2.13 million non-decent homes in the social sector. The estimate for March 2004 is 1.17 million.
	Between April 2004 and 2006 Local Authority plans indicate that they will spend 5.7 billion on their existing stock, the majority of which is allocated by Central Government with some from Local Authorities' own resources. This includes work beyond the decent homes standard and work to prevent dwellings from becoming non-decent as well as work to the existing non-decents. Registered Social Landlords will mainly use their own resources on improving their stock.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

China (Renewable Energy)

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to encourage the development of renewable energy in China.

Stephen Timms: The Department of Trade and Industry maintains close contact with the Chinese authorities with regard to energy matters, and including renewable energy. This contact is managed day-to-day through the Commercial Sections of the British diplomatic posts in China, and export and trade promoters of UK Trade and Investment and of the DTI's New and Renewable Energy Programme.
	We are currently working with the Chinese to assist with their design and drafting of regulations to increase their use of renewable energy over the coming years. In close co-operation with the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), we received a delegation of Chinese law makers in March, for a programme of meetings when they were able to discuss the issues involved with UK Government Departments and with UK industry. In May we sent a specialist who works with our Distributed Generation Working Group, and a Trade Promoter of the DTI's New and Renewable Energy Programme, to Beijing to join a working group developing the drafting of these regulations, which are expected to come into force next year.
	We will continue to support this initiative, and also to promote contact between companies and industry bodies of our two countries. We have commissioned the development of a website designed specifically to make available information on renewable energy capabilities and opportunities in each country. This website is nearing completion, and can now be viewed on www.ukchinarenewables.co.uk. We understand that a UK specialist wind energy company is once again going to engage in training Chinese companies in the development of wind energy, in June; at least partially as a result of our trade promotional activities. And we are preparing to sponsor a presence by UK industry at a wind energy conference and exhibition in Beijing at the end of October.

Accountancy Standards

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations the Government has made to the European Commission in respect of (a) IAS 39 and (b) IAS 32; what assessment she has made of their impact on British (i) insurance companies and (ii) pension schemes; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The Government have made it clear to the European Commission that the adoption of all standards is essential to the success of the EU's approach to accounting harmonisation. It would be difficult for Europe to maintain international credibility without key standards on financial instruments.
	We accept that IAS 32 and 39 are not perfect standards, but experience from countries where similar standards are in use show that concerns about their impact are exaggerated. Discussions with the British insurance industry indicate that companies are primarily concerned now to get the finalised standards in place so they can move forward. IAS 32 and 39 are not expected to have any particular impact on pension schemes.

Fuel Prices

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total tax payable on the average pump price of a litre of unleaded petrol was on (a) 1 May 2003, (b) 1 January, (c) 17 March and (d) 17 May 2004.

Stephen Timms: Pump prices are not available for the specified dates. The table below gives the average prices for ultra low sulphur petrol on the Monday closest to the date.
	
		
			 Date Amount of Duty per litre Amount of VAT per litre Pump Price per litre 
		
		
			 28 April 2003 45.82 11.53 77.42 
			 29 December 2003 47.10 11.31 75.94 
			 15 March 2004 47.10 11.53 77.39 
			 17 May 2004 47.10 12.14 81.49 
		
	
	Source:
	DTI

Bribery/Corruption

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many allegations of overseas bribery and corruption were received by her Department since the date that would not incur disproportionate costs.

Mike O'Brien: The DTI has received one allegation of overseas bribery. Under the terms of the published memorandum of understanding copy in Libraries of the House, this was passed on to NCIS for investigation.

Civil Servants

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list for each civil service grade within her (a) Department and (b) Department's executive agencies, the total number of staff employed, broken down by (i) gender, (ii) ethnic group and (iii) age group; and how many are registered disabled.

Patricia Hewitt: Data on staffing levels in the Civil Service is collected by the Cabinet Office and published in Civil Service Statistics. A copy of Civil Service Statistics, 2002 is available in the Libraries of the House and at http://www/civil-service.gov.uk/statistics. The 2003 edition will be published in summer 2004.

Company Liquidations

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many redundancies have been made by (a) companies and (b) administrators in each of the last 10 years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The following table shows the available statistics. Estimates of the total number of employees made redundant each year are from the Office for National Statistics' Labour Force Survey which is based on a sample of over 61,000 households. The estimates are subject to sampling variability. The statistics of employees made redundant because their employer has become insolvent are from records of claims made to Redundancy Payments Offices. Employees of insolvent employers may claim redundancy payments and other contractual debts such as unpaid wages, notice pay and outstanding holiday pay. Though some qualifying employees may not make a claim, it is thought that almost all do.
	
		Estimates of employees made redundant each year in Great Britain -- Thousand
		
			  Total number of employees made redundant: Estimates from the Labour Force Survey Number of employees making a claim to a Redundancy Payments Office because of the insolvency of their employer 
		
		
			 1994 (95) (95) 
			 1995 680 (95) 
			 1996 623 (95) 
			 1997 610 (95) 
			 1998 697 75 
			 1999 686 82 
			 2000 639 91 
			 2001 722 106 
			 2002 700 99 
			 2003 580 91 
		
	
	(95) Not available.

Company Liquidations

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade   and Industry if she will take steps to ensure that   the administration of a company following its liquidation is used as an effective tool to safeguard the interests of shareholders and stakeholders, including employees.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Enterprise Act 2002 introduced changes that allow a liquidator to apply to court for an administration order. The court would have to be satisfied that the company would achieve the purpose of administration, the primary objective of which is to rescue the company as a going concern and failing that to achieve a better result for the creditors than on a winding up. If companies and their businesses can be rescued rather than wound up, then the outcome will be better for the company itself, its employees, its creditors, its shareholders and the economy as a whole.

Corporate Identity Theft

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what action is being taken to deal with the problems of industrial sabotage as a result of corporate identity theft;
	(2)  what action is being taken to encourage UK firms   to take precautions against corporate identity theft.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Companies House is considering what steps it can actively take within the scope of the present law to reduce the risk of corporate identity theft. In particular it is considering further enhancing its electronic filing services to provide greater security for companies that feel at risk. Companies House is also an active member of the North East Fraud Forum, which is a unique partnership between the public and private sectors to share knowledge and experience with a view to defeating economic crime.
	However, this is also a matter for companies themselves to consider how best to protect themselves against the risk of corporate identity theft. Companies House also offers a service known as Monitor which companies can subscribe to which will alert them to the filing of any documents on their public record. Companies can also easily make regular checks of their public record on the Companies House Website (companieshouse.gov.uk) to make sure their records reflect the true position.

Corporate Identity Theft

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many cases of corporate identity theft have been reported in each of the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Companies House began to record figures for corporate identity theft as a particular statistic in May 2004. It would be of disproportionate cost to isolate allegations of corporate identity theft from the previous records of all complaints about the false filing of documents.

Corporate Identity Theft

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment has been made of the costs to (a) UK consumers and (b) UK companies of corporate identity theft in each of the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: No such assessments have been made.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether her Department is investigating allegations of breaches of OECD guidelines by British-based companies and individuals made by the UN Panel of Experts in respect of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Mike O'Brien: A formal complaint was never lodged against De Beers. However following the final UN Expert Panel report and discussions between De Beers and the U.K. National Contact Point (NCP) for the OECD Guidelines, an NCP Statement was published on 5 May 2004 and is available on the U.K. OECD Guidelines webpage (http://164.36.164.37/ewt/debeers.doc)
	The NCP is not an investigatory body. Its role, as defined in the Guidelines, is one of facilitation and mediation between the parties. This presupposes the existence of a complainant.
	If the NCP is in receipt of information (e.g. from the UN expert panel) this can be put to the company, but without a complainant the NCP cannot engage in the dialogue process envisaged by the Guidelines.
	Following repeated requests for evidence over a six month period, the UN has now agreed to provide copies of their background documentation. This arrived on 17 May 2004 and is currently being examined in detail to see what it adds to the report. A decision can then be taken as to the appropriate way forward on each company concerned.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for   Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what information her Department has received from the UN and the panel of experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo in support of allegations against British-based companies or individuals made by the panel of experts; and what steps her Department has taken to investigate such allegations;
	(2)  whether her Department requires a complaint to   be made in order for an investigation to be pursued   in respect of an alleged breach of OECD guidelines;
	(3)  whether a complaint was received against De Beers in respect of an alleged breach of OECD guidelines as referred to in the initial UN expert panel report on the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Mike O'Brien: A formal complaint was never lodged against De Beers. However following the final UN Expert Panel report and discussions between De Beers and the U.K. National Contact Point (NCP) for   the OECD Guidelines, an NCP Statement was published on 5 May 2004 and is available on the U.K. OECD Guidelines webpage (http://164.36.164.37/ewt/debeers.doc)
	The NCP is not an investigatory body. Its role, as defined in the Guidelines, is one of facilitation and mediation between the parties. This presupposes the existence of a complainant.
	If the NCP is in receipt of information (e.g. from the UN expert panel) this can be put to the company, but without a complainant the NCP cannot engage in the dialogue process envisaged by the Guidelines.
	Following repeated requests for evidence over a six month period, the UN has now agreed to provide copies of their background documentation. This arrived on 17 May 2004 and is currently being examined in detail to see what it adds to the report. A decision can then be taken as to the appropriate way forward on each company concerned.

Departmental Staff

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff were employed in the Department to work in the communications field, and what the total expenditure on communications for the Department was, broken down by (a) Government Information and Communication Service staff and (b) other staff, broken down by (i) press officers, (ii)   special advisers and (iii) others, in (A) 199495, (B) 199697, (C) 199798 and (D) 200102.

Patricia Hewitt: The detailed information requested is not held in the form requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 4 February 2003, Official Report, column 180W, giving details of the number of press officers and press office costs for 199697 and 200102.

DVDs/Videos

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what regulations are in place on the sale by (a) national supermarket chains and (b) small independent retailers of DVDs and videos at below-dealer wholesale prices.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 20 May 2004
	There are no regulations governing the prices at which goods may be sold by retailers relative to the prices at which they were purchased from wholesalers. The main legislation relating to commercial practices and fair competition is the Competition Act 1998 and the Enterprise Act 2002.

Elderly People

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what (a) initiatives, (b) campaigns and (c) advisory bodies relating to older people her Department (i) is responsible and (ii) has provided funding since 2001; and what the cost in each year was for each one.

Patricia Hewitt: As part of our commitment to protecting the rights of all consumers, employees and employers, the Department of Trade and Industry is responsible for numerous activities that have particular relevance for older people. Examples include: introducing legislation under the European Employment Directive that will outlaw age discrimination in employment and vocational training from October 2006; the Age Advisory Group, set up in 2001, and Taskforce, set up in 2004, have been advising the Government on matters to do with implementation of the Directive; and establishment of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHRs), which will provide, for the first time, institutional support for the proposed provisions on age discrimination. In its first few years of operation particular attention will need to be paid to age issues, including awareness raising among, and support for, those with rights and responsibilities under the age legislation. In addition, the CEHR will be able to act in   a broad range of areas and not just those where there   is specific legislative protectionfor example, encouraging good practice in the provision of goods and services to help prevent unfair treatment of older people.
	Further examples include funding for the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux and Citizens Advice Scotland to provide support and training to the Citizens Advice Service across the UK. The service deals with in excess of 6 million cases annually, of which over 50 per cent. involve older people; and joint support with DEFRA in 2001 (500,000) for a three-year pilot programme of Warm Zones to assess the merits of a systematic local approach to client identification and assistance: the formal evaluation of this work is expected by the end of 2004.
	In April 1999, DTI launched a three-year campaign specifically targeted at older people entitled Avoiding Slips, Trips and Broken Hips working with Help the Aged and others. This campaign ended in 2002. However, DTI provided a grant of 50,000 directly to Help the Aged to continue to deliver the existing resources, and at present materials continue to be available for free distribution.

Energy Efficiency

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to promote the use of more energy efficient electrical motors within industry.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Proposals to develop more efficient engines and vehicles through the design and application of electric power drives and systems, where they are used in the development of environmentally friendly transport, are being considered under the collaborative research and development arm of the DTI Technology Programme. The Technology Programme seeks to promote innovative technologies to help companies bring products to market. Calls for outline proposals from industry are requested by 21 June.
	A further call for proposals is planned for later this year and ideas for new priority areas to be covered are welcomed from business and should be submitted to the, industry led, Technology Strategy Board through the DTI.
	Additionally the Enhanced Capital Allowance (EGA) Scheme allows businesses investing in designated energy saving products published in the approved Energy Technology List (ETL) to claim 100 per cent. first-year capital allowances on their investment. Motors and Variable Speed drives were included in the first wave of technologies published in 2001. Currently there are over 2,800 products listed under Motors and Drives section of the approved ETL Product List. The full list of energy saving products eligible for Enhanced Capital Allowances can be found at www.eca.gov.uk.

Fireworks

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in tackling the issue of noisy night-time fireworks.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Department launched a formal consultation on 23 April 2004, which details proposed regulations to be made under the provisions of the Fireworks Act 2003. One of the proposed measures is to create a curfew on the use of fireworks between the hours of 11 pm and 7 am, with the exception of November 5, New Years Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali.
	We expect that the police will enforce this measureand that the police will have the power to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for infractions of the curfew.

National Minimum Wage

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many young people in Hull, North have benefited from the introduction of the minimum wage for 16 and 17 year olds.

Gerry Sutcliffe: It is not possible to provide an estimate specifically for the constituency of Hull, North because of small sample size. However, the number of people in the UK who stand to benefit from the new rate for 16 and 17 year olds is likely to be in the low tens of thousands.

National Minimum Wage

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  how many people have legitimately not been paid the minimum wage in each year since its introduction; what the reason was in each case; what estimate she has made of the number of people not being paid the minimum wage for illegitimate reasons; and she will make a statement;
	(2)  how many employees have been affected by employers not complying with the National Minimum Wage in each year since its introduction.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answers 4 May 2004
	The Office for National Statistics publishes an estimate of   the number of jobs paying below the National Minimum WageSee table 1, which reproduces this estimate for the years since the National Minimum Wage was introduced).
	
		Table 1: Number and proportion of jobs paying below the National Minimum Wage
		
			 As at spring each year Number Percentage 
		
		
			 2000(96) 240,000 1.0 
			 2001(97) 250,000 1.0 
			 2002(98) 330,000 1.3 
			 2003(99) 260,000 1.0 
		
	
	(96) Rate was 3.00 per hour (aged 1821) or 3.60 per hour (aged 22 and over).
	(97) Rate was 3.20 per hour (aged 1821) or 3.70 per hour (aged 22 and over).
	(98) Rate was 3.50 per hour (aged 1821) or 4.10 per hour (aged 22 and over).
	(99) Rate was 3.60 per hour (aged 1821) or 4.20 per hour (aged 22 and over).
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics' central estimates of low pay.
	However, these figures do not constitute an estimate of non-compliance since there are certain circumstances where the usual minimum wage rates do not apply, in which case it may be legitimate for an employer to pay below National Minimum Wage rates.
	There are two main instances when individuals may legitimately earn less than the appropriate minimum wage for their age. Firstly, individuals may be on certain Government training programmes or apprenticeships, in which they are exempt for the first year up to the age of 26. Also, employees aged over 21 who receive accredited training (such as those doing NVQs) may be exempted from receiving the full adult national minimum wage for the first six months of training in a new job with a new employer. Secondly, employees may be exempted if they are receiving accommodation that is tied to their employment. Such employees do not have to be paid all of their minimum wage entitlement in cash terms because employers can legitimately reduce rates to take into account the cost of accommodation provided; from October 2003 this has amounted to a daily offset of 3.50, leading to a maximum weekly offset of 24.50.
	Using the Labour Force Survey, the DTI estimates the maximum number of workers whose job characteristics mean they can be paid less than the National Minimum Wage.
	
		Table 2: Maximum number of workers whose job characteristics mean they can legitimately be paid less than the National Minimum Wage
		
			 As at spring each year Number 
		
		
			 2000 320,000 
			 2001 250,000 
			 2002 260,000 
			 2003 220,000 
		
	
	Source:
	Labour Force Survey.
	In practice, the number of workers who can legitimately be paid below minimum wage rates is likely to be substantially lower than these figures. This is because a significant proportion of people receiving free   accommodation as part of the job, holding apprenticeships or taking part in Government training programmes are likely to be earning in excess of the minimum wage.

Maternity Leave

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many and what percentage of women in Oldham, West and Royton have taken 26 weeks' maternity leave since 1997.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Data on maternity leave is not available by constituency. However, a DTI survey of working parents in Autumn 2000 showed that of mothers who had taken maternity leave in the previous five years, 51 per cent. had taken 18 weeks or less and 79 per cent. had taken 19 to 29 weeks or less.

Regional Development Agencies

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of the budget of each of the nine regional development agencies has been spent on administration in each year since their inception.

Jacqui Smith: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) on 11 May 2004, Official Report, column 247W.

Regulations

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for   Trade and Industry for what reasons she rejects the   British Chambers of Commerce estimation of the   costs to businesses of regulations introduced since 1997.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The British Chambers of Commerce estimation of the burden does not appear to offset the benefits accrued. Objective measurement of regulation must consider the total impact, taking account of associated benefits.

Scottish Power

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 12 May to question reference 171781, if she will list the issues discussed at the meeting with representatives of Scottish Power on 11 March.

Patricia Hewitt: The specific issue relating to electricity supply discussed at the meeting was wind farms and their interaction with radar. Also discussed was security of supply.

Software Patents

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the Council of Ministers has received the report from the Council Working Group on Intellectual Property on the draft Directive on the patentability of computer-implemented inventions.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 20 May 2004
	The Council of Ministers discussed the report of the Working Group at the meeting of the Competitiveness Council on 17 and 18 May 2004, and reached political agreement on a Common Position on the proposed Directive on the patentability of computer-implemented inventions.

Working Time Directive

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the latest position is regarding the opt-out from the 48-hour limit on the working week under the Working Time Directive; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR) which implement the provisions of the Working Time Directive in UK law came into force on 1 October 1998. The Regulations currently include an opt-out provision to the weekly working time limit. Under the opt-out, an individual worker may agree to work more than 48 hours a week.
	The opt-out was initially granted for a period of 15 years but has since been extended. A review has been carried out and the European Commission have decided to consult more widely over working time changes. The Commission published a consultation communication on 5 January 2004.
	The UK response to the Communication (31 March 2004) argued strongly for the retention of the opt-out. While the Government are in favour of providing fair minimum standards of employment protection, they are also keen to maintain the flexibility our individual labour market requires, and, which many individual workers prefer.
	The second stage consultation paper from the European Commission was recently published on 19 May. It presented the following options:
	Option 1Keep the individual opt out with tighter conditions of application.
	Option 2Opt-out only available through collective agreement.
	Option 3Opt out available through collective agreement, but retain the possibility of individual opt out in the absence of such an agreement and for undertakings without worker representation.
	Option 4Phase out the opt out.
	Option 1 is the only one to ensure workers have real choice and ensure working hours are tailored to what individual workers want.
	The UK and the Commission agree that extending the reference period for working hours, so that these can be averaged over a period of up to 12 months without the need for a collective agreement would increase the flexibility of both employers and workers. This is of particular value in the UK because, as the Commission's Communication notes, collective or workforce agreements are not widespread here.
	There is now in a 6-week period of negotiation with the social partners: UNICE, the European employers' federation; ETUC, the European employees organisation; and CEEP, the public sector employers organisation. If the social partners do not agree to negotiate on a workable solution during this time, the Commission will propose legislation by co-decision by the summer 2004.

TREASURY

Conceptions

Ann Winterton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many conceptions in women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years there were in the Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority in each year since 2000;
	(2)  what the rate of conceptions in women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years in the Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority was in each year since 2000;
	(3)  how many conceptions resulted in abortions in women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years in the Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority in each year since 2000.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Ann Winterton, dated 24 May 2004
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions on conceptions and abortions. (174950,174951  174953)
	The information you requested on conceptions, and conception rates was given in answer to a recent question from David Amess MP, which appears in the Official Report of Monday 24 May, No. 91, Column 120JW-1208W.
	Information on conceptions resulting in abortions was given in answer to another question from David Amess MP, which appears in the same Official Report at Column 1197W-1200W.

Overseas Charity Workers

Alistair Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many United Kingdom citizens working overseas for charities in the field of overseas development have lived overseas for more than five years;
	(2)  how many United Kingdom citizens are employed overseas by United Kingdom based charities involved in international development.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Alistair Burt, dated 24 May 2004
	The National Statistician has been asked by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to reply to your request for information on (a) how many United Kingdom citizens are employed overseas by UK-based charities involved in international development and; (b) how many UK citizens working overseas for charities in the field of overseas development have lived overseas for more than five years. I am replying in his absence. (175830,175832)
	The information you requested is not available. Migration data are not collected by specific sectors, or specific types, of employment.

Psepho-analysis

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which 20 United Kingdom mainland constituencies experienced the greatest fall in electorate between 1997 and 2004 in (a) numerical and (b) percentage terms, listed in descending order.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Chris Ruane, dated 24 May 2004
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning the 20 United Kingdom mainland constituencies that have experienced the greatest fall in electorate between 1997 and 2004.1 am replying in his absence. (175125)
	For the purposes of this question, the United Kingdom mainland excludes Northern Ireland. The effect of the introduction of a new system for registering electors in Northern Ireland is explained in an answer to an earlier Parliamentary Question on this subject (Official Report, 9 March 2004, Column 1416W).
	Two tables are attached. Table 1 shows the 20 constituencies that experienced the greatest decrease in parliamentary electors between 16 February 1997 and 1 December 2003, the latest date for which data are available. Table 2 shows the 20 constituencies who experienced the greatest percentage decrease in parliamentary electors over the same period.
	
		Constituencies experiencing the greatest decrease in electorate between 1997 and 2003, Great Britain.
		
			 Constituency 1997 figures 2003 figures Electorate decrease 
		
		
			 Portsmouth South 80,907 66,162 14,745 
			 Brentford and Isleworth 79,644 67,934 11,710 
			 Sheffield Central 68,976 58,708 10,268 
			 Rhondda 57,487 48,332 9,155 
			 Sheffield, Brightside 59,287 51,031 8,256 
			 Edinburgh Central 63,969 55,714 8,255 
			 Bradford West 72,671 64,663 8,008 
			 Tyne Bridge 61,602 53,971 7,631 
			 Sheffield, Heeley 67,011 59,428 7,583 
			 Leeds Central 67,911 60,398 7,513 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend 63,799 56,340 7,459 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne Central 70,271 63,408 6,863 
			 Paisley North 50,261 43,590 6,671 
			 Aberdeen Central 54,548 47,903 6,645 
			 Sunderland South 68,477 61,872 6,605 
			 Salford 58,961 52,443 6,518 
			 Dulwich and West Norwood 69,994 63,489 6,505 
			 Paisley South 54,573 48,248 6,325 
			 Halifax 72,384 66,126 6,258 
			 Edmonton 64,184 57,988 6,196 
		
	
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics
	
		Constituencies experiencing the greatest percentage decrease in electorate between 1997 and 2003, Great Britain.
		
			 Constituency 1997 figures 2003 figures Percentage decrease 
		
		
			 Portsmouth South 80,907 66,162 18.22 
			 Rhondda 57,487 48,332 15.93 
			 Sheffield Central 68,976 58,708 14.89 
			 Brentford and Isleworth 79,644 67,934 14.70 
			 Sheffield, Brightside 59,287 51,031 13.93 
			 Paisley North 50,261 43,590 13.27 
			 Edinburgh Central 63,969 55,714 12.90 
			 Tyne Bridge 61,602 53,971 12.39 
			 Aberdeen Central 54,548 47,903 12.18 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend 63,799 56,340 11.69 
			 Paisley South 54,573 48,248 11.59 
			 Glasgow Baillieston 51,589 45,738 11.34 
			 Sheffield, Heeley 67,011 59,428 11.32 
			 Cynon Valley 48,713 43,260 11.19 
			 Leeds Central 67,911 60,398 11.06 
			 Salford 58,961 52,443 11.05 
			 Bradford West 72,671 64,663 11.02 
			 Glasgow Maryhill 52,854 47,525 10.08 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne Central 70,271 63,408 9.77 
			 Dundee West 57,809 52,196 9.71 
		
	
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics

Stamp Duty

Tom Watson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been saved by housebuyers in stamp duty exempt areas as a result of not having to pay the duty, broken down by local authorities in England.

Ruth Kelly: The available information cannot be given at this level of detail.

Suicides

Tom Cox: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many suicides there were in England and Wales in 2002.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Tom Cox, dated 24 May 2004
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question how many suicides there were in England and Wales in 2002. (174486)
	There were 4,665 deaths with a verdict of suicide or an open verdict 1 in England and Wales in 2002 2 .
	1  Data for England and Wales are for deaths occurring in the calendar year.
	2  Causes of death were defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes X60-X84 (suicide verdict) and Y10-Y34 (open verdict) excluding Y33.9 where the Coroner's verdict was pending.

Abortion

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many conceptions resulted in abortion among those aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 in each year since 2000;
	(2)  what the rate of conceptions for females aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years was in each year since 2000;
	(3)  what the rate of conceptions in women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years was in the Essex Strategic Health Authority in each year since 2000; and how many conceptions there were in each age group.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Bob Spink, dated 24 May 2004
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions on conceptions and abortions. (174459,174466  174578)
	The information you requested on conceptions, and conception rates was given in answer to a recent question from David Amess MP, which appears in the Official Report of Monday 24 May, No. 91, Column 1201W-1208W.
	Information on conceptions resulting in abortions was given in answer to another question from David Amess MP, which appears in the same Official Report at Column 1197W-1200W.

Abortion

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many conceptions in women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years there were in the Essex Strategic Health Authority area in each year since 2000.
	(2)  what the rate of conceptions in women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years there were in the Essex Strategic Health Authority area in each year since 2000;
	(3)  how many conceptions resulted in abortions in women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years in the Essex Strategic Health Authority area in each year since 2000;
	(4)  what the rate of conceptions for women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years was in each year since 2000;
	(5)  how many conceptions resulted in abortion among women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years in each year since 2000.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Sir Teddy Taylor, dated 24 May 2004
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions on conceptions and abortions. (174510,174511, 174513, 174504  174506)
	The information you requested on conceptions, and conception rates was given in answer to a recent question from David Amess MP, which appears in the Official Report of Monday 24 May, No. 91, Column 1201W-1208W.
	Information on conceptions resulting in abortions was given in answer to another question from David Amess MP, which appears in the same Official Report at Column 1197W-1200W.

Abortion

David Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the rate of conceptions was for women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 in England and Wales in each year since 2000; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary gave to him on 20 May 2004, Official Report, columns 1197200W.

Abortion

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the rate of conceptions for women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years was in each year since 2000;
	(2)  how many conceptions in women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 there were in West Cumbria in each year since 2000;
	(3)  what the rate of conceptions in women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 was in West Cumbria Strategic Health Authority area in each year since 2000;
	(4)  how many conceptions resulted in abortions in women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years in West Cumbria Strategic Health Authority in each year since 2000;
	(5)  how many conceptions resulted in abortion among women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years in each year since 2000.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Tony Cunningham, dated 24 May 2004
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions on conceptions and abortions. (175395, 175420, 175421, 175517  175516)
	The information you requested on conceptions, and conception rates was given in answer to a recent question from David Amess MP, which appears in the Official Report of Monday 24 May, No. 9.1, Column 1201W-1208W.
	Information on conceptions resulting in abortions was given in answer to another question from David Amess MP, which appears in the same Official Report at Column 1197W-1200W.
	Please note that information for the West Cumbria area is not available. However, information for the Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic Health Authority area is given at both the above references.
	Information on conceptions resulting in abortions, broken down by (i) disease and (ii) sex is not available.

Abortion

Adrian Flook: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the rate of conceptions in women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years was in the Dorset and Somerset Strategic Health Authority area in each year since 2000;
	(2)  how many conceptions in women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years there were in the Dorset and Somerset Strategic Health Authority area in each year since 2000;
	(3)  how many conceptions resulted in pregnancy terminations among women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years in the Dorset and Somerset Strategic Health Authority area in each year since 2000.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Adrian Flook, dated 24 May 2004
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions on conceptions and abortions. (175619,175620  175625)
	The information you requested on conceptions, and conception rates was given in answer to a recent question from David Amess MP, which appears in the Official Report of Monday 24 May, No. 91, Column 1201W-1208W.
	Information on conceptions resulting in abortions was given in answer to another question from David Amess MP, which appears in the same Official Report at Column 1197W-1200W.

Abortion

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many conceptions in women of 19 years and under there were in Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority in each year since 2000, broken down by age;
	(2)  what the rate of conceptions in women of 19 years and under was in Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority since 2000, broken down by age;
	(3)  what the rate of conceptions for women of 19 years and under was in each year since 2000, broken down by age;
	(4)  how many conceptions resulted in abortion among women of 19 years and under in each year since 2000, broken down by age;
	(5)  how many conceptions resulted in abortions in women of 19 years and under in Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority in each year since 2000, broken down by age.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Jim Dobbin, dated 24 May 2004
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions on conceptions and abortions. (175763, 175782, 175783, 175786  175787)
	The information you requested on conceptions, and conception rates was given in answer to a recent question from David Amess MP, which appears in the Official Report of Monday 24 May, No. 91, Column 1201W-1208W.
	Information on conceptions resulting in abortions was given in answer to another question from David Amess MP, which appears in the same Official Report at Column 1197W-1200W.

Abortion

Paul Goodman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the rate of conceptions in women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years was in the Thames Valley Strategic Health Authority area in each year since 2000;
	(2)  how many conceptions in women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years there were in the Thames Valley Strategic Health Authority area in each year since 2000;
	(3)  how many conceptions resulted in abortions among women aged (a) 11, (b) 12, (c) 13, (d) 14, (e) 15, (f) 16, (g) 17, (h) 18 and (i) 19 years there were in the Thames Valley Strategic Health Authority area in each year since 2000.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Paul Goodman, dated 24 May 2004
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions on conceptions and abortions. (175386,175388  175391)
	The information you requested on conceptions, and conception rates was given in answer to a recent question from David Amess MP, which appears in the Official Report of Monday 24 May, No. 91, Column 1201W-1208W.
	Information on conceptions resulting in abortions was given in answer to another question from David Amess MP, which appears in the same Official Report at Column 1197W-1200W.

Child Tax Credit

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many families in Hull North are eligible   for the child tax credit; and what the take-up rate is.

Dawn Primarolo: For the number of recipient families, I refer my hon. Friend to my answer to my hon.   Friend the Member for Burton (Mrs. Dean) on 15 March 2004, Official Report, column 98W.

Council Tax

Edward Davey: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update the information set out in the answer of 17 November 2003, Official Report, columns 52022W, on council tax, to take account of the effects of taxes and benefits on household income in 200203.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Edward Davey, dated 24 May 2004
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking for an update of the information set out in the answer of 17 November 2003, Official Report, columns 52022W, giving how much council tax was paid as a proportion of gross income for households in each income quintile group in each English region. (174862)
	Estimates have been produced from the Office for National Statistics' analysis The effects of taxes and benefits on household income published on the National Statistics website on 6 May 2004 at http://www.statistics.gov.uk/taxesbenefits. The analysis includes measures of income inequality for the United Kingdom as a whole based on data from the Expenditure and Food Survey. This is a sample survey covering about 7,000 households in the UK and sample sizes for each region are only sufficient to give approximate estimates.
	The current analysis presents data for the category 'Council tax and Northern Ireland rates', as opposed to the category 'Local taxes' used in previous analyses. This is because, from this year, charges made by water authorities for water, environmental and sewerage services have been excluded. This treatment conforms to the National Accounts classification and definition of taxes where water rates and related charges are considered a charge for services rather than a tax. They have therefore been excluded from the calculation of disposable income. This reply is based on the new methodology and includes updated 200102 figures on this basis for comparison.
	The table shows, for 200102 and 200203, the average net council tax paid for all households in each Government Office Region and for each income quintile group within each region where households are ranked by equivalised disposable income. Equivalisation is a standard methodology that takes into account the size and composition of households and adjusts their incomes to recognise differing demands on resources. The net council tax figures are gross council tax less reported council tax benefits and   discounts. The table also shows the boundaries between equivalised disposable income quintiles, which have been calculated separately for households in each Government Office Region. For example, the 1st quintile boundary is the income level below which one fifth of those households are estimated to lie.
	
		Net council tax paid by households within each Government Office Region by equivalised disposable income quintile, 200102-England
		
			  North East North West and Merseyside Yorkshire and the Humber 
			  Income boundary(100) () Net council tax () Net council tax as percentage of gross income Income boundary(100) () Net council tax () Net council tax as percentage of gross income Income boundary(100) () Net council tax () Net council tax as percentage of gross income 
		
		
			 Quintile  
			 Bottom  242 3.1  396 4.7  370 4.0 
			  9,112   9,995   10,245   
			 2nd  420 3.3  430 3.4  375 3.0 
			  12,790   13,483   13,622   
			 3rd  500 2.6  664 3.4  524 2.7 
			  17,972   17,937   17,920   
			 4th  707 2.3  750 2.6  647 2.4 
			  26,154   24,290   23,907   
			 Top  872 15  936 1.8  846 1.7 
			 All households in region  548 2.2  635 2.6  553 2.3 
		
	
	
		
			  East Midlands West Midlands Eastern 
			  Income boundary(100) () Net council tax () Net council tax as percentage of gross income Income boundary(100) () Net council tax () Net council tax as percentage of gross income Income boundary(100) () Net council tax () Net council tax as percentage of gross income 
		
		
			 Quintile  
			 Bottom  484 5.1  426 4.8  468 5.3 
			  10,517   10,071   11,116   
			 2nd  549 3.5  429 3.5  527 3.4 
			  14,894   13,958   16,206   
			 3rd  679 2.8  598 2.6  722 2.7 
			  19,777   18,032   22,332   
			 4th  725 2.3  782 2.3  786 2.1 
			  26,917   25,358   30,455   
			 Top  785 1.4  781 1.5  885 1.4 
			 All households in region  644 2.4  603 2.3  678 2.2 
		
	
	
		
			  London South East South West 
			  Income boundary(100) () Net council tax () Net council tax as percentage of gross income Income broundary(100) () Net council tax () Net council tax as percentage of gross income Income boundary(100) () Net council tax () Net council tax as percentage of gross income 
		
		
			 Quintile  
			 Bottom  444 4.6  473 4.8  474 5.4 
			  11,647   12,758   10,955   
			 2nd  559 3.1  643 3.3  570 3.8 
			  17,770   18,203   14,643   
			 3rd  753 2.2  746 2.6  674 3.0 
			  25,855   24,832   19,555   
			 4th  789 1.7  831 1.9  746 2.5 
			  38,166   35,472   26,542   
			 Top  886 1.0  981 1.3  897 15 
			 All households in region  686 1.7  735 2.0  672 2.5 
		
	
	Note:
	(100) Boundary point between equivalised disposable income quintiles.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics, based on the analysis 'The effects of taxes and benefits on household income'.
	
		Net council tax paid by households within each Government Office Region by equivalised disposable income quintile, 20022003-England
		
			  North East North West and Merseyside Yorkshire and the Humber 
			  Income boundary(101) () Net council tax () Net council tax as percentage of gross income Income broundary(101) () Net council tax () Net council tax as percentage of gross income Income boundary(101) () Net council tax () Net council tax as percentage of gross income 
		
		
			 Quintile  
			 Bottom  395 4.1  378 4.0  368 4.0 
			  10,600   10,952   10,378   
			 2nd  474 3.5  487 3.3  490 3.4 
			  14,052   14,832   14,181   
			 3rd  541 2.6  597 2.7  556 2.7 
			  18,501   19,287   19,533   
			 4th  697 2.5  753 2.4  670 2.3 
			  24,518   26,993   25,829   
			 Top  883 1.8  979 1.9  847 1.6 
			 All households in region  598 2.4  639 2.4  586 2.4 
		
	
	
		
			  East Midlands West Midlands Eastern 
			  Income boundary(101) () Net council tax () Net council tax as percentage of gross income Income broundary(101) () Net council tax () Net council tax as percentage of gross income Income boundary(101) () Net council tax () Net council tax as percentage of gross income 
		
		
			 Quintile  
			 Bottom  513 5.1  406 4.3  591 5.4 
			  10,992   10,865   12,113   
			 2nd 558 3.4  497 3.3  580 3.3 
			  15,238   14,259   16,944   
			 3rd 691 2.9  656 2.9  784 2.9 
			  20,734   19,323   22,195   
			 4th 835 2.3  802 2.4  855 2.3 
			  28,150   26,717   33,990   
			 Top 956 1.6  883 1.7  958 1.5 
			 All households in region  711 2.4  649 2.5  753 2.4 
		
	
	
		
			  London South East South West 
			  Income boundary(101) () Net council tax () Net council tax as percentage of gross income Income broundary(101) () Net council tax () Net council tax as percentage of gross income Income boundary(101) () Net council tax () Net council tax as percentage of gross income 
		
		
			 Quintile  
			 Bottom  395 3.7  553 5.3  480 5.6 
			  11,904   12,545   11,576   
			 2nd  507 3.1  660 3.6  602 4.0 
			  17,009   18,310   16,173   
			 3rd  714 2.3  851 2.9  769 3.0 
			  26,286   24,805   21,231   
			 4th  918 1.9  938 2.3  844 2.5 
			  37,876   33,743   29,152   
			 Top  928 1.0  1050 1.5  988 1.8 
			 All households in region  693 1.8  811 2.4  737 2.7 
		
	
	Note:
	(101) Boundary point between equivalised disposable income quintiles.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics, based on the analysis 'The effects of taxes and benefits on household income'.

Labour Statistics (Eastern Region)

Alistair Burt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the change in the number of jobs in the manufacturing sector in the Eastern Region has been in (a) the last 12 months for which figures are available and (b) in the 24 months prior to this;
	(2)  how many people are employed in engineering and engineering related industries in the Eastern region; and how many were employed in these industries in (a) 2003, (b) 2002 and (c) 2001.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Alistair Burt dated 24 May 2004
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions about employment in the manufacturing industry and engineering sectors in the eastern region. (174544, 174545)
	The latest year for which figures are available is 2002. The attached table shows the information requested for the years 20002002.
	
		Employee(102) jobs in manufacturing, and in engineering and related industriesEastern region: 20002002 -- 000
		
			 Year(103) Manufacturing Change year on year Engineering Change year on year 
		
		
			 2000 333  120  
			 2001 328 -5 118 -2 
			 2002 307 -21 109 -9 
		
	
	(102) Employee jobs only, does not include self-employed.
	(103) The Annual Business Inquiry is released in December of each year.
	Source:
	Annual Business Inquiry (ABI).

Financial Statistics

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if   he will list (a) the Government consumption expenditure deflator and (b) the level of public sector inflation for each year since 1997.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Howard Flight, dated 24 May 2004
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning (a) the Government consumption expenditure deflator and (b) the level of public sector inflation for each year since 1997. (174980)
	The implied annual deflator for general government consumption derived from the national accounts estimates published in March 2004 is presented in the attached table.
	Please note that these estimates do not present price measures directly, since with a few exceptions (e.g. passport fees), there are no directly observable prices for the services provided by government. The estimates are therefore derived by comparing the spending on producing government services with measures of the output of those services. As derived statistics, they should not be confused with measures of the price of the inputs such as public sector earnings or prices paid for other purchases.
	In calculating the deflator, the quality and reliability of the output measures are crucial. However, public service delivery and management mechanisms have developed and become more complex in recent years, and there is an increasing emphasis on the quality of service for the customer. As a result there are greater demands on, and expectations of, measures of government output. In order to ensure that output measures can respond to these demands, in December 2003 I announced an independent review, led by Sir Tony Atkinson, of the future development of government output and productivity measures, and the associated price indices.
	
		General Government consumptionimplied deflator(104)UK, 19972003
		
			 Year Index 
		
		
			 1997 88.8 
			 1998 91.1 
			 1999 95.4 
			 2000 100.0 
			 2001 105.7 
			 2002 113.3 
			 2003 122.7 
		
	
	(104) Indexed, with value of 100 in year 2000
	Source:
	UK National Accounts, 26 March 2004

Gershon Review

Brian White: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to publish the results of the Gershon review.

Paul Boateng: Sir Peter Gershon continues to work closely with all Departments to prepare detailed efficiency proposals for consideration in the 2004 Spending Review. A further announcement will be made at the Spending Review.

Holiday Bond Schemes

Martin Salter: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans the Government have to ensure that companies promoting holiday bond schemes make potential investors aware of the financial risks involved.

Ruth Kelly: Where firms carry on regulated activities relating to specified investments, including holiday bond schemes, firms must be authorised by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). The FSA also regulates promotions of holiday bonds involving controlled investments and activities, which includes checking that promotions are clear, fair and not misleading.

Large Business Office

Mark Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the operating costs have been for the Large Business Office for each year since 1997.

Dawn Primarolo: The Large Business Office developed during 199798 so 199899 was the first full year of operation.
	The operating costs of the LBO for each year, together with those of the prior year, are set out in their Annual Report. Copies of those for 200001 and 200203 are held in the House of Commons Library.

Low Sulphur Petrol

John Thurso: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to ensure the availability of low sulphur petrol after 1 September in the North East of Scotland and the Highlands and Islands; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: Following the announcement by the Chancellor that a duty differential of 0.5p/l in favour of sulphur free petrol will apply from 1 September 2004, we anticipate that this will rapidly replace low sulphur petrol. The marketing of sulphur free fuels is a matter for the oil industry, however we do expect that the duty differential will be sufficient to ensure widespread availability across the UK generally. Certainly, early indications from the oil industry are that Scotland will be among the first areas to see the introduction of sulphur-free fuels.

Northern Ireland

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much public money has been spent in Northern Ireland in each of the last seven years, broken down by main budget heading; and what the general receipts were in each year, broken down by revenue source.

Paul Boateng: Identifiable public spending by function, region and country is published annually in Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses. The latest data   for Northern Ireland is shown in the tables 8.5,8.6,8.7,8.8 and 8.9 of Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses 2004 (Cm 6201). Information on current receipts is published in Table C8 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report (HC 301). No Northern Ireland-specific figures are available for current receipts.

Public Sector Inflation

Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list (a) the Government consumption expenditure deflator and (b) the level of public sector inflation for each year since 1979.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Chris Ruane, dated 24 May 2004
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent   question concerning (a) the Government consumption expenditure deflator and (b) the level of public sector inflation for each year since 1979.1 am replying in his absence. (175243)
	The implied annual deflator for general government consumption derived from the national accounts estimates published in March 2004 is presented in the attached table.
	Please note that these estimates do not present price measures directly, since with a few exceptions (e.g. passport fees), there are no directly observable prices for the services provided by government. The estimates are therefore derived by comparing the spending on producing government services with measures of the output of those services. As derived statistics, they should not be confused with measures of the price of the inputs such as public sector earnings or prices paid for other purchases.
	The methodology used in calculation the volume measure of Government consumption was changed from the mid-1990s, therefore comparisons should be made with care.
	In calculating the implied deflator, the quality and reliability of the output measures are crucial. However, public service delivery and management mechanisms have developed and become more complex in recent years, and there is an increasing emphasis on the quality of service for the customer. As a result there are greater demands on, and expectations of, measures of government output. In order to ensure that output measures can respond to these demands, in December 2003 the National Statistician announced a review of the future development of government output and productivity measures, and the associated price indices.
	
		General Government consumptionimplied deflator(105) UK, 19792003
		
			 Year Index 
		
		
			 1979 27.8 
			 1980 34.4 
			 1981 38.8 
			 1982 42.0 
			 1983 44.7 
			 1984 46.8 
			 1985 49.5 
			 1986 52.4 
			 1987 56.2 
			 1988 60.4 
			 1989 64.8 
			 1990 70.0 
			 1991 74.9 
			 1992 79.1 
			 1993 81.1 
			 1994 83.1 
			 1995 84.9 
			 1996 87.4 
			 1997 88.8 
			 1998 91.1 
			 1999 95.4 
			 2000 100.0 
			 2001 105.7 
			 2002 113.3 
			 2003 122.7 
		
	
	Source:
	UK National Accounts, 26 March 2004

Travellers

Andrew Selous: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many visits income tax and VAT inspectors have made to unauthorised traveller developments to ensure the proper collection of income tax and VAT in the year to 5 April 2004 in (a) England and Wales and (b) South Bedfordshire.

John Healey: Both HM Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue are committed to treating all taxpayers fairly and equally and do not target or classify businesses by demographic or racial group. An approach to managing non-compliance is taken which deploys resources on the basis of risk assessment. It is not therefore possible to quantify the number of visits made to unauthorised traveller developments.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Child Poverty

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the Government's aim to eradicate child poverty in this country by 2020.

Chris Pond: I refer the hon. Member to the oral answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to   my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Redcar   (Vera Baird) on 26 April 2004, Official Report, column 62526.

Child Poverty

Phil Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions using the 1999 Millennium Poverty and Social Exclusion Survey, how many children he estimates lived in families with below 70 per cent. of the before housing costs national median income who also lacked (a) one or more and (b) two or more of the necessities proposed in the annex of the document Measuring Child Poverty; and how many of those categorised as missing out on (i) one or more and (ii) two or more of the list of necessities did not have before housing cost incomes below 60 per cent. of median income in 1999.

Chris Pond: We have not made any estimates using the 1999 Millennium Poverty and Social Exclusion Survey.
	The official Government estimates of low income are derived from the Family Resources Survey-based Households Below Average Income dataset. Data for the material deprivation element of the measure outlined in the document Measuring Child Poverty will be collected on the Family Resources Survey from 200405, and will be published in 2006.
	Copies of the 'Measuring Child Poverty' document are available in the Library.

Council Tax Benefit (Hampshire)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have claimed council tax benefit in (a) Portsmouth, (b) Southampton and (c) the rest of Hampshire in each of the last three years.

Chris Pond: The information is in the table.
	
		Council tax benefit recipients in Portsmouth, Southampton, and Hampshire local authorities -- Thousand
		
			  Council tax benefit recipients 
			 Local authority August 2001 August 2002 August 2003 
		
		
			 Portsmouth 14.2 12.8 13.8 
			 Southampton 17.9 18.0 17.3 
			 
			 Basingstoke and Deane 6.3 6.5 6.6 
			 East Hampshire 4.1 4.1 4.2 
			 Eastleigh 4.7 4.8 4.9 
			 Fareham 3.7 3.7 3.6 
			 Gosport 4.7 4.4 4.7 
			 Hart 2.0 1.9 2.1 
			 Havant 8.7 8.0 8.2 
			 New Forest 8.9 8.5 8.5 
			 Rushmoor 3.5 3.4 3.7 
			 Test Valley 4.3 4.3 4.5 
			 Winchester 4.5 4.3 4.4 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The data refers to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.
	2. The figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred and expressed in thousands.
	3. Figures for any non-responding authorities have been estimated.
	4. Council tax benefit totals exclude any Second Adult Rebate cases.
	5. Totals may not sum due to rounding.
	Source:
	Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count taken in August 2001, 2002 and 2003.

National Insurance

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many national insurance numbers have been issued in each year since 1992.

Chris Pond: The number of National Insurance Numbers (NINOs) created each year since 1992 on the Departmental Central Index (DCI) is in the table.
	
		
			 Year January to December NINOs created on DCI 
		
		
			 1992 9,765,000 
			 1993 3,292,000 
			 1994 1,057,000 
			 1995 1,008,000 
			 1996 979,000 
			 1997 1,018,000 
			 1998 1,027,000 
			 1999 1,023,000 
			 2000 996,000 
			 2001 928,000 
			 2002 1,082,000 
			 2003 1,142,000

Advertising and Publicity

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the expenditure of his Department on advertising and publicity was in each of the last six years, broken down by campaign; and what the projected expenditure is for 200304.

Maria Eagle: 200304 was a major year for advertising and publicity in the Department for Work and Pensions, with a number of big campaigns rising to a peak of activity.
	During 200304, estimated expenditure on alerting people to their rights, responsibilities and entitlements through information campaigns was 58,179,000. Of this sum, an estimated 40,894,000 was spent on advertising using television, radio, cinema, internet and press media.
	Some campaigns, such as pension credit and new deal, have expenditure falling into more than one financial year, depending on requirements and final billing dates. Estimated total expenditure for 200304, broken down by campaign, is in the table.
	
		
		
			 200304 campaign Advertising expenditure Total publicity expenditure(105) 
		
		
			 Future Pensioners/Informed Choice  2,700,000 
			 Pensioners' Guide  1,250,000 
			 Pension Credit 11,100,000 15,580,000 
			 The Pension Service 570,000 2,650,000 
			 Direct Payment 11,044,000 12,474,000 
			 Direct Payment road show 51,000 480,000 
			 Fraud 8,383,000 9,362,000 
			 Winter Fuel 637,000 938,000 
			 Council Tax Benefit 500,000 652,000 
			 New Deal 5,800,000 7,600,000 
			 Jobcentre Plus awareness  531,000 
			 Jobseeker Direct help-line 1,700,000 1,700,000 
			 Jobcentre Plus employer marketing 1,016,000 1,016,000 
			 Age Positive 46,000 946,000 
			 DDA Awareness and Disability Rights 47,000 300,000 
			 Total 40,894,000 58,179,000 
		
	
	(105) The total publicity expenditure column includes the advertising costs shown in the centre column. Final expenditure April 2003 March 2004 may differ from these figures depending on actual activity and billing dates.
	Notes:
	1. All costs exclude VAT.
	2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 1,000
	3. Advertising costs are total media costs excluding all production costs.
	4. Information campaigns costing under 250,000 and the details of highly localised publicity activity by the Department's customer-facing businesses have generally not been included as a disproportionate cost would be incurred in compiling these figures.
	The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in June 2001. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 27 January 2004, Official Report, column 342W, detailing expenditure for 200102 and 200203. Information on total advertising and publicity costs by campaign for these years can be found in the Department's annual reports, copies of which are in the Library.
	A more detailed breakdown, distinguishing between advertising and other publicity costs, could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Benefits

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Scotland were in receipt of (a) housing benefit and (b) council tax benefit in (i) 200001 and (ii) 200102.

Chris Pond: The available information is in the table.
	
		Housing benefit and council tax benefit recipients aged 60 and over in Scotland
		
			 As at May Housing benefit Council tax benefit 
		
		
			 2000 203,000 275,000 
			 2001 203,000 281,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The figures are based on a 1 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation.
	2. The data refers to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.
	3. The figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.
	4. Council tax benefit totals exclude any Second Adult Rebate cases.
	5. Housing benefit figures exclude any Extended Payment cases.
	6. Aged 60 and over refers to cases where the claimant and/or partner are aged 60 or over.
	Source:
	Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System, Annual 1 per cent. sample, taken in May 2000 and 2001.

Benefits

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) state pensioners and (b) non-pensioner benefit recipients within the Tamworth constituency receive (i) pensions and (ii) other benefits (A) through an order book, (B) through a Post Office Card Account and (C) paid directly into a bank or building society account.

Chris Pond: Information in the following table gives the number of customers in the Tamworth constituency, by benefit, broken down by their method of payment (order book, Post Office Card Account or direct payment) as at 23 January 2004. Child benefit and war pensions information is not included as these are the responsibility of the Inland Revenue and Ministry of Defence respectively.
	
		
			  Payment by order book Payment by Post Office card account Payment direct into a bank or building society account 
		
		
			 (a) State pensioners (women over 60 and men over 65) 
			 State pension (retirement pension) 5,235 250 6,720 
			 Other benefits(106) 2,835 (1) 1,850 
			 
			 (b) Non-pensioner benefit recipients 
			 Total of benefits 3,700 455 5,415 
		
	
	(106) Other benefits are attendance allowance, disability living allowance, incapacity benefit, carers' allowance, industrial injuries, pensions credit, severe disablement allowance and widows' benefit.
	Notes:
	The following special points should be noted :
	1. For confidentiality reasons, all figures are rounded to the nearest 50.
	2. Figures relate to payload and not caseload therefore if a claimant is receiving more than one benefit e.g. pension credit (PC) and state pension (SP) but only receives one combined payment through the PC system they will only be shown as having a pension credit account and not a state pension account.
	3. Payments made into some bank/building society accounts will still allow customers to access their cash at Post Office branches if the account provider has an arrangement with Post Office Limited.
	4. Benefits are bereavement benefit, disability living allowance, incapacity benefit, carers' allowance, industrial injuries, income support, jobseekers allowance, pension credit, severe disablement allowance and widows' benefit.
	Source:
	DWP Information Centre, Information  Analysis Directorate (100 per cent. data).

Benefits

Martin Linton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Battersea are receiving at least one benefit that can be collected at the post office.

Chris Pond: Based on information available at 21 February 2004, the number of pensioners in Battersea receiving at least one benefit that can be collected at the post office is 5,555.
	This figure includes payments made into post office card accounts. It also includes girocheques, which are encashable at either a post office or through a bank or building society account.
	There are no data available on the number of benefit payments collected at post offices through the wider range of banking services now available.
	This figure does not include child benefit or war pensions accounts, as these are the responsibility of   Inland Revenue and the Ministry of Defence respectively.

Benefits

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the measures introduced to improve the working conditions of disabled workers in Blackpool, North and Fleetwood over the last seven years.

Maria Eagle: We have a number of measures in place nationally to help improve conditions for disabled people at work, as well as measures to improve their access to services generally. None of these are specific to Blackpool, North and Fleetwood, but all are available to disabled people who live and work there.
	From 1996, the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act required most employers of 20 or more staff not to discriminate against, and to   make reasonable adjustments for, disabled job applicants or employees; in December 1998, we reduced this threshold to 15 employees. From October this year, the small employer exemption will be removed and most currently excluded occupations, such as police officers, fire-fighters, and partners in business partnerships will   be brought within the scope of the Disability Discrimination Act employment provisions.
	Jobcentre Plus runs a number of specialist programmes providing help for disabled people, including New Deal for Disabled People, WORKSTEP, Access to Work, the Job Introduction Scheme, and Work Preparation. All these programmes provide practical advice and support to disabled people and their employers to help overcome work related obstacles resulting from disability. Since 199798 there have been year on year increases in both numbers helped and programme spend.
	To help people access appropriate help, Jobcentre Plus has established a network of disability service teams. The teams are made up of disability employment advisers, access to work advisers and occupational psychologists; their services are accessed through local Jobcentres.
	Since April 2003, disabled people in work have been receiving financial support through the working tax credit. This is available if a person is working an average of at least 16 hours per week (self-employed or for an employer); and have a disability which puts them at a disadvantage in getting a job. 70,000 families (including over 32,000 adults without children) are benefiting from the disability element within the working tax credit, compared to 38,000 who benefited from the old disabled person's tax credit.

Benefits

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in the Havant constituency have migrated from over the counter benefit payments to automated credit transfer in each of the last 12 months.

Chris Pond: The number of pensioner accounts (men   over 65 women over 60) in the parliamentary constituency of Havant that have migrated from over the counter benefit payments to Direct Payment in the past 12 months is in the table.
	Figures refer to accounts migrating. An individual pensioner paid two benefits separately will be counted as two pensioner accounts.
	Statistics are taken from individual scans of benefit databases at a point in time each month. New accounts opened and closed in between scans are not included in the figures. Similarly, if a person changes their method of payment and then reverts back to the old method of payment this change will not be included.
	
		
			 Time period Number of accounts migrating 
		
		
			 24 January 2004 to 21 February 2004 285 
			 27 December 2003 to 24 January 2004 305 
			 29 November 2003 to 27December 2003 35 
			 1 November 2003 to 29 November 2003 170 
			 4 October 2003 to 1 November 2003 225 
			 6 September 2003 to 4 October 2003 20 
			 9 August 2003 to 6 September 2003 120 
			 12 July 2003 to 9August 2003 70 
			 14 June 2003 to 12 July 2003 20 
			 17 May 2003 to 14 Jun 2003 65 
			 19 April 2003 to 17 May 2003 45 
			 22 March 2003 to 19 April 2003 5 
			 22 February 2003 to 22 March 2003 30 
			 25 January 2003 to 22 February 2003 40 
			 28 December 2002 to 25 January 2003 5

Carers Allowance

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for   Work and Pensions how many (a) claims and (b) successful claims for carers allowance were made in each of the last three years for which figures are available to (i) claimants under 65 years and (ii) claimants over 65 years.

Maria Eagle: The available information is in the table.
	
		
			  1 December 2001 to 30 November 2002 1 December 2002 to 31 May 2003 
		
		
			 Claims received   
			 65 and over 16,695 24,400 
			 Under 65 136,545 68,690 
			
			 Claims decided   
			 Successful with entitlement 
			 65 and over 11,725 22,570 
			 Under 65 120,250 63,675 
			
			 Successful In Payment 
			 65and over 840 1,390 
			 Under 65 100,305 51,890 
		
	
	Notes:
	Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.
	Data on new claims are not currently available for August 2003 and November 2003.
	Figures for the number of claims received refer to the number of people making claims and a person may have made more than one claim but they will only be counted once.
	Source:
	ICA Unit, 100 per cent. sample

Chagossians (Resettlement)

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will meet delegates from West Sussex county council in order to discuss the resettlement of Chagossians in West Sussex.

Chris Pond: My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so.
	Chagossians arriving in the Great Britain and who are not subject to immigration control, have the same rights as anyone else to seek assistance from the social security system. Generally anyone claiming benefits has to establish a habitual residence in the UK.

Child Benefits/Support

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions under what powers the child element of jobseeker's allowance and income support will continue to be paid after 1 April 2004.

Chris Pond: For families not yet migrated to tax credits, child and family allowances in income support continue to be paid under regulation 17(1)(b) and (c) of the Income Support (General) Regulations 1987 and child and family allowances in jobseeker's allowance continue to be paid under regulation 83(b) and (c) of the Jobseeker's Allowance Regulations 1996. The relevant primary powers are sections 124, 135 and 136 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 and sections 4, 12 and 13 of the Jobseekers Act 1995.
	Subsequently, once tax credits have been awarded and put into payment, child and family allowances will be removed from income support and jobseeker's allowance under the provisions in The Social Security (Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2003 S.I. 2003 No. 455.

Child Benefits/Support

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many parents have been found guilty of avoiding paying the   right amount of child support in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK, in each year since 1997.

Chris Pond: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested.
	Letter from Mr. Doug Smith to Mr. Stephen Hepburn, dated 24 May 2004
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary questions about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many parents have been found guilty of avoiding paying the rightful amount of child support in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK, in each year since 1997.
	I do not have the information in precisely the form requested. I can however indicate the number of liability orders by the Child Support Agency in each year from 1997. Obtaining these orders is a pre-requisite for subsequent enforcement action leading ultimately to potential committal to prison. The figures are:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 199697 1,125 
			 199798 1,374 
			 199899 2,033 
			 19992000 2,523 
			 200001 1,755 
			 200102 1,427 
			 200203 2,383 
			 200304 3,885

Child Benefits/Support

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what action he will take to provide further support to single parents whose former partners are avoiding paying the right contribution to their child's upbringing.

Chris Pond: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested.
	Letter form Mr. Doug Smith to Mr. Stephen Hepburn, dated 24 May 2004:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what action he will take to provide further support to single parents whose former partners are avoiding paying their rightful contribution to their child's upbringing.
	The Agency has taken a number of steps to improve its enforcement work. It has taken action to identify and examine barriers to effective enforcement, has benchmarked its services and simplified the process by which debt is referred for enforcement. Additional staff have been deployed in this area. The Agency's Business Plan for the current year identifies enforcement activity as one of its six key priorities.

Child Benefits/Support

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to introduce further measures to give the Child Support Agency power to take action against parents not paying the right amount of alimony.

Chris Pond: None.
	The Child Support Agency already has a wide range of powers.

Child Benefits/Support

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and   Pensions pursuant to his statement on CSA Performance, Departmental Report 2004, page 19, what his forecasts were for new scheme (a) cases with maintenance calculations, and (b) compliance; and what the performance was against those forecasts.

Chris Pond: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Mr. Doug Smith to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 24 May 2004
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his statement on CSA Performance, Departmental Report 2004, page 19, what his forecasts were for new scheme (a) cases with maintenance calculations, and (b) compliance; and what the performance was against those forecasts.
	The Agency will be publishing its annual report for the year to 31 March 2004 in July. This will indicate the Agency's actual performance in the year against targets set by Ministers.

Child Benefits/Support

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his statement on the CSA Delivery Strategy, Departmental Report 2004, page 18, on how many occasions (a) cases have stuck in the system, (b) cases have disappeared from caseworker screens and (c) telephone calls have been routed inappropriately.

Chris Pond: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Mr. Doug Smith to Mr. Steve Webb, dated 24 May 2004
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary questions about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his statement on the CSA Delivery Strategy, Departmental Report 2004, page 18, on how many occasions (a) cases have stuck in the system, (b) cases have disappeared from caseworker screens and (c) telephone calls have been routed inappropriately.
	I am unable to provide robust information in the form requested. Ministers have however made regular reports to Parliament on the operation of the new arrangements and these were placed in the library of the House of Commons on 16 July 2003, 18 November 2003, 12 February 2004, and 21 April 2004.

Civil Service Travel

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost to his Department of Civil Service travel expenses has been in each of the last seven years.

Maria Eagle: The available information is in the table. DWP was formed in June 2001 from the former Department of Social Security (DSS) and parts of the former Department for Education and Employment (DfEE). Travel expenditure information is not available for the former DfEE. Expenditure figures up to and including 200001 are for the former DSS only.
	
		
		
			  Travel Expenditure 
		
		
			 199798 26,443,081 
			 199899 27,427,728 
			 19992000 29,164,243 
			 200001 30,621,828 
			 200102 34,431,759 
			 200203 30,813,140 
			 200304 33,383,959 
		
	
	Source:
	Former DSS and DWP payroll systems.

Computer File Formats

Richard Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and   Pensions what his Department's policy is in respect   of the computer file formats used for the (a) distribution and (b) archiving of publicly available documents.

Jane Kennedy: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) publishes material available on its website www.dwp.gov.uk in HTML (hyper text mark-up language) generated via active server pages (ASP) or Adobe Acrobat (PDF). The PDF format is mainly used for longer documents that members of the public might want to print out rather than view on screen. Images, where they are used, are provided in standard graphic file formats GIF and JPEG. Information about accessibility, to help users with visual impairments or   other disabilities, is given at: www.dwp.gov.uk/accessibility/.
	When leaflets, guides, forms and other documents are updated older versions are removed from the website so that members of the public get the most up-to-date information. Electronic copies of archived documents are available via e-mail on request from: www.dwp.gov. uk/publications/orderolditems/orderoldpubs.asp. These documents are provided in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format.
	Further information about the full range of material published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) can be found in our publication scheme at: www.dwp.gov.uk/pub   scheme/.

Departmental Communications

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff were employed in the Department to work in the communications field, and what the total expenditure on communications for the Department was, broken down by (a) Government Information and Communication Service staff and (b) other staff, broken down by (i) press officers, (ii)   special advisers and (iii) others, in (A) 199495, (B) 199697, (C) 199798 and (D) 200102.

Maria Eagle: The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in June 2001 from the former Department of Social Security and parts of the former Department for Education and Employment. Information on costs from 1994 to 200001 is not held centrally, and for the year 200102, is only available for the Department's Communications Directorate. The available information is in the table.
	
		Total expenditure on DWP Communications Directorate staff for the Department for 200102
		
			  
		
		
			 Total staff cost() 5,023,218 
			 Of which  
			 Cost of press office staff () 816,725 
			   
			 Total of staff employed in DWP Communications Directorate broken down by (a) Government Information and Communication Service (GICS) staff and (b) other staff, broken down by (i) Press Officers (ii) special advisers and (ii) others in 200102 
			 (i) GICS (107)47 
			 (ii) Other staff 154 
			 Of which  
			 (iii) Press Officers (numbers) 18 
			 (iv) Special Advisers (numbers) Nil 
			 (v) Others (numbers) 136 
		
	
	(107) Includes 21 Press Officers
	Notes:
	1. All costs exclude VAT.
	2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 1,000.
	3. Advertising costs are total media costs excluding all production costs.
	4. Information campaigns costing under 250,000 and the details of highly localised publicity activity by the Department's customer-facing businesses have generally not been included as a disproportionate cost would be incurred in compiling these figures.
	Non GIGS Press Officers are Regional Press Officers.
	The total publicity expenditure column includes the advertising costs shown. Final expenditure April 2003 to March 2004 may differ from these figures depending on actual activity and billing dates.
	The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in June 2001. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 27 January 2004, Official Report, column 342W, detailing expenditure for 200102 and 200203. Information on total advertising and publicity costs by campaign for these years can be found in the Department's annual reports, copies of which are in the Library.
	A more detailed breakdown, distinguishing between advertising and other publicity costs, could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Ethnic Monitoring

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what ethnic monitoring is carried out of staff in his Department including staff on short-term contracts.

Maria Eagle: The Department for Work and Pensions monitors ethnicity to assess the effectiveness of its policies and procedures in creating a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities that we serve. This includes those staff on fixed-term contracts of employment. We hold ethnicity data on 88 per cent. of the Department's workforce which enables us to obtain robust data for our monitoring activities.
	The ethnic profile of our workforce compares favourably with that of the general population and in the labour market. This information is made available within the Department by region and by grade.
	The Department collects a wide range of information about the human resources activity of staff and aims, as a minimum, to meet the mandatory requirements in respect of employment duties stipulated in the Race Relations Act 1976, as amended by the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.
	Monitoring is undertaken in relation to: job application rates; selection success rates; representation of different ethnic groups in the workforce; training application rates; promotion application and success rates; and performance and development appraisal mark distribution.
	In addition we are developing systems to monitor disciplinary action, grievances and unsatisfactory work performance by ethnicity.

Incapacity Benefit

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of incapacity benefit claimants aged between 50 years and state pension age worked immediately prior to their claim in each year since 1997 (a) in the UK and (b) broken down by region; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The information is in the table.
	
		Proportion of those aged 50 to state pension age who were in employment prior to claiming incapacity benefits, broken down by region -- Percentage
		
			 Region 199798 199899 19992000 200001 200102 
		
		
			 North East 52 46 42 50 56 
			 North west 53 51 56 55 53 
			 Yorkshire and the   Humber 58 54 46 58 57 
			 East Midlands 55 58 60 56 55 
			 West Midlands 50 48 49 51 55 
			 East of England 53 63 62 65 64 
			 London 54 53 58 55 63 
			 South East 43 39 46 44 45 
			 South West 56 51 53 58 57 
			 Wales 52 47 49 52 48 
			 Scotland 54 49 56 55 58 
			 All GB 53 51 53 55 55 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Includes incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance payments and 'credits only' cases.
	2. Figures include those previously in employment and self-employment.
	3. Figures include those aged 50 and excludes women aged 60 and men aged 65.
	4. Figures are for in-flows in year to April.
	Source:
	DWP administrative data (1 per cent. sample)

Jobcentre Plus

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps Jobcentre Plus is taking to match the skills development of the unemployed to employer demands in the workplace.

Jane Kennedy: Through initiatives like the New Deal and Ambition, Jobcentre Plus provides a range of help to people needing to improve their skills in order to find work and fill vacancies.
	Employers have been involved from the start in the design of New Deal to ensure it meets business needs. New Deal is delivered by local partnerships, including training organisations and employers, and is tailored to meet the needs of local economies. Training is procured locally and linked to employer need.
	The Ambition initiatives aim to help unemployed and disadvantaged people gain the right skills to meet employer needs in key sectors. The sectors targeted are those with skills shortages and employers are closely involved in the development and design of training.
	Jobcentre Plus also works with key economic partners at local and regional level to ensure our activities meet with business and economic priorities for the area. Since October 2002, each English region has had in place a Framework for Regional Employment and Skills Action (FRESAs). FRESAs aim to maintain and improve regional labour markets by co-ordinating a strategy for employment and skills in each region, and ensuring a more efficient and co-ordinated service.
	The publication of the 2003 Skills Strategy, 21st Century SkillsRealising Our Potential, has increased the momentum for the skills agenda for those in and out of work. Jobcentre Plus will continue to work with partners at a national, regional and local level to ensure the ambitions of the skills strategy are developed in a way that makes a real difference to individuals and employers, ensuring that employers get employees with the skills they need for their business.

ME

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many ME sufferers appealed after their initial claims for disability living allowance were rejected in the last 12 months; and how many of these were (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful in their appeals.

Maria Eagle: This is a matter for Christina Townsend, Chief Executive of the Appeals Service. She will reply to my hon. Friend.
	Letter from Christina Townsend to John Robertson, dated 24 May 2004
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question regarding the number of ME sufferers that appealed after their initial claims for disability living allowance were rejected in the last 12 months; and how many were successful or unsuccessful in their appeals.
	The information is not available in the format requested.
	I am sorry that I cannot be more helpful.

Leroy Keen

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will investigate why it took two years to conclude that Mr. Leroy Keen of Paignton had been overpaid by 119.55 in income support.

Chris Pond: holding answer 18 May 2004
	Details of benefit claims are confidential and I will write to the hon. Member.
	This is in line with Part 2, paragraph 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

New Deal

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many young people in the East Riding of Yorkshire he estimates have gained sustained employment through the New Deal who would not otherwise have done so;
	(2)  what the cost of the New Deal in the East Riding of Yorkshire has been since its inception.

Jane Kennedy: The New Deal for Young People has been successful in helping 2,570 young people in the East Riding Local Authority area into work, 2,090 of which have gained sustained employment.
	Information on how many of these young people would not have gained sustained employment without New Deal intervention is not available. However, research by the National Institute for Economic and Social Research (NIESR) found that long term unemployment would have been twice as high without New Deal for Young People and that a large number of young people left unemployment quicker than they would have done without New Deal.
	Information on the cost of New Deal in the East Riding of Yorkshire is not available.

State Pension

George Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of the average wage the state pension is in the UK; and what the figure is for each member state of the European Union.

Chris Pond: The average State Pension payment to all recently retired pensioners is 20 per cent. of average earnings.
	The comparable figure is not available for EU member states because most EU countries have earnings related State Pensions schemes. The amount of State Pension will therefore vary according to the individual earnings during their working life.
	Notes:
	1. State Pension is the maximum rate of basic State Pension plus the average amount of additional pension in payment based on March 2003 data for recently retired pensioners (men 65, women 60). 2. Average earnings is the mean weekly earnings at April 2003 of 475.80. 3. The 20 per cent. figure has been rounded to the nearest percentage point.

Pension Credit

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Hull, North are eligible for pension credit; and what the take-up rate is.

Malcolm Wicks: The minimum income guarantee (MIG) was replaced by pension credit on 6 October 2003. Those who were receiving MIG immediately prior to that date were transferred automatically to pension credit. Information on the number of people who are eligible for pension credit is not available in respect of individual constituencies. However, we estimate that approximately 350,000 pensioner households in the Yorkshire and Humberside Government office region (rounded to the nearest 50,000) are eligible for pension credit. This estimate is based on data from the Family Resources Survey for 200102. A revised estimate, based on data from the Family Resources Survey for 200203, will be available early in June.
	The number of recipients of MIG and pension credit in Hull, North in October 2003 and April 2004 respectively is shown in the table.
	
		Minimum income guarantee and pension credit recipients, Hull, North, October 2003
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Minimum income guarantee (3 October 2003) 
			 Households 3,425 
			 Individuals 4,100 
			   
			 Pension credit (30 April 2004)  
			 Households 4,485 
			 Individuals 5,565 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest five.
	2. Figures for individuals include a small number of partners under age 60.

Vulnerable Customers (Cheque Payment)

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his written statement of 11 May 2004, Official Report, columns 67WS, on vulnerable customers (payments by cheque), at what point the (a) Pension Service, (b) Jobcentre and (c) Disability Benefits Office will accept that a vulnerable customer's payment by cheque is late or lost; and whether a vulnerable customer, if they have not received any post on the day payment is due, will be able to contact their Pension Office and receive an emergency payment that day.

Chris Pond: We will ensure that people get the money they are entitled to. Where a cheque payment does not arrive by the due payday, the customer should initially contact the office which normally pays their benefit or pension. Arrangements for replacement payments will vary depending upon the individual circumstances and needs of each customer.
	Paying by cheque is a well-established method of payment that the Department has used successfully since 1968. We already have procedures in place for dealing with missing payments. We will ensure they continue to meet the needs of those customers paid by cheque.